US Embassy in Togo warns citizens about Lassa fever

The U.S. Embassy wishes to inform U.S. citizens about one confirmed and one suspected case of Lassa Fever in northern Togo.

Lassa fever is a rare but potentially life-threatening viral hemorrhagic disease.  The risk of contamination is low, but can occur if someone comes into contact with an infected person’s blood or bodily fluids.  Lassa Fever cannot be spread through casual contact, including skin to skin contact, without exchange of bodily fluids. Those at highest-risk would be health care workers treating patients in facilities known to have Lassa Fever and family members caring for infected patients.

Early diagnosis and supportive care are essential.  You should consult a medical professional if you have been in direct contact with an infected person within the past three weeks and have symptoms of Lassa fever, which include:  fever, chest, stomach or back pain, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, or mucosal bleeding.

Related:

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