NewsDesk @bactiman63

Guinea Minister of Health and Public Hygiene, Dr. Mamadou Pethe Diallo declared a Lassa fever outbreak in the country after the confirmation of a case in Guéckédou.

The patient is a 17-year-old patient from the Kassadou subprefecture located 65 km from the head of the prefecture. The is being treated at the Care Center (CT-Epi) in Guéckédou and their condition is still satisfactory.

The Guéckédou laboratory has identified the presence of Lassa Hemorrhagic Fever on April 20, 2022. A second test conducted at the Conakry reference Laboratory confirmed the first result.

An investigation has been initiated in the villages concerned, for the census of contacts and their follow-up. At this time, no other cases have been reported.

According to the International Health Regulation (RSI), the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene declares the Lassa Fever epidemic in the Guéckédou Prefecture, Nzérekoré Region.

Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever spread through contact with infected rodents or their urine or droppings. Lassa fever can also be spread from person to person through contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids.

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Symptoms of Lassa fever (fever, chills, headache, and fatigue) develop 1-3 weeks after infection. About 20% of people infected with Lassa fever develop severe illness that can lead to hemorrhaging (bleeding), respiratory distress, vomiting, facial swelling, pain in the chest, back, and abdomen, and sometimes death.