Mitigating the risks of global spread of Lassa fever at the 2018 Hajj pilgrimage

Okokhere and colleagues' analyses of 284 hospitalized Nigerian Lassa fever cases showing a 24% mortality rate is a timely reminder of the persistent threat to global health security of lethal viral hemorrhagic fevers [1]. Nigeria is currently experiencing a Lassa Fever outbreak, with at least one case across 21 states, 81% of cases being predominantly from 3 states (Edo, Ondo, Ebonyi). Mortality was 25.4% in 413 positive cases (1 849suspected) between January 1st and 15th of April 2018 [2]. Twenty-seven health care workers have been infected.

Source: Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease - April 27, 2018 Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Philippe Gautret, Stanley Okolo, Habida Elachola, Alimuddin Zumla, Ziad A. Memish Source Type: research