A review on Lassa fever

Abstract

Lassa fever (LF) is indeed a significant public health concern, particularly in parts of Africa. This viral infection, caused by the Lassa virus (LASV), is known for its high prevalence and fatality rates in certain regions, including North Africa. Research indicates that the estimated case fatality rate of Lassa fever in North Africa ranges from 16.5% to as high as 50% in some areas. For example, in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria, the case fatality rate was reported to be 57%. Across Western Africa, up to 300,000 new infections and 5,000 deaths are estimated to occur annually, with fatality rates reaching up to 25.4% in recent Nigerian outbreaks. The high fatality rates, especially among hospitalized patients, highlight the severity of this disease. For instance, in Nigeria, the overall mortality rate has been reported to be around 19%, with higher rates among health workers.