Lassa Fever Outbreaks Confirmed in Eastern Nigeria

The U.S. CDC recently issued a Watch - Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions, regarding a Lassa Fever outbreak in the western Africa country of Nigeria.

On March 15, 2022, the CDC stated, 'Lassa fever has been identified in Ondo, Edo, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Kogi, Taraba, Enugu, Benue, Gombe, Nasarawa, and the Delta States.

Travelers to these areas should seek medical care immediately if they develop (during or after travel) fever, chills, headache, bleeding, general body aches, vomiting, or trouble breathing. 

According to the CDC, treatment with an antiviral medicine called ribavirin is most effective during the early stages of illness.

Until there is an approved Lassa Fever vaccine, travelers to Nigeria should avoid contact with rodents, as well as food and materials that could be contaminated with rodent urine or droppings.

Additionally, the CDC recently issued Travel Advisories regarding yellow fever, COVID-19, polio, and monkeypox disease in Nigeria.

Note: These CDC travel advisories were edited for clarity and curated for mobile readers.