Highly lethal Lassa virus in Europe. It can also reach Poland. What are the symptoms? [NEW PANDEMIC?]

In the UK, cases of the Lassa virus have been detected for the first time since 2009. One of the infected people died. Lassa has a high mortality rate, much higher than that of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. Experts put it on the list of viruses that could cause another pandemic. What do we know about Lassa virus disease? What are the symptoms and how can you get infected with Lassa? We explain.

1. On February 9, the British Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) reported the detection of two cases of the Lassa virus and a “probable” third infected. The third case proved fatal
2. The last time the Lassa virus in the UK was recorded in 2009.
3. The disease caused by the Lassa virus is rapid. Symptoms appear very quickly, there is no vaccine or effective drugs that could help the infected. Lassa is therefore considered a potential threat to society
4. Respond before it’s too late. Get to know your Health Index!
5. More information can be found on the Onet homepage

Lassa virus in Great Britain. There is a death toll

The world is still focused on one particular virus, and another potential threat has found its way into Europe. It is about the Lassa virus which was detected in three British citizens. One of the infected people died. Previously, the Lassa virus appeared in the UK in 2009.

The UK Health Safety Agency said that all detected cases of the Lassa virus involved family members of people who had recently traveled to West Africa (where the pathogen is endemic, and therefore somewhat contained). As they argue, the social risk due to the detected focus of infections is very low.

At the same time, information about Lassa virus infections may raise legitimate concerns. The pathogen is on the World Health Organization (WHO) list of the ten diseases with the greatest epidemic potential. So these are possible new pandemics that could break out at any moment.

In addition to the Lassa virus, the list also includes:

1. COVID-19
2. Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever
3. Ebola
4. Marburg
5. MERS
6. Nipah
7. Rift Valley Fever
8. Zika
9. “Disease X” (that is, one we do not know yet)

The rest of the text is below the video.

Lass fever. What kind of illness is that?

Lassa virus causes a disease called Lassa fever. It was first detected in 1969 in Nigeria. It is estimated that the Lassa virus infects between 300 and 500. people per year. In this case, a significant problem is high infectivity and mortality among patients. In this respect, the virus significantly surpasses SARS-CoV-2, which has paralyzed the whole world for two years. It is estimated that every third person infected with Lassa virus dies. This means that we are dealing with a mortality of 30%.

Lassa fever is a hemorrhagic fever like Ebola or Marburg. This means that the infection causes secondary damage to blood vessels and coagulation disorders in patients. 80 percent Lassa virus infections do not give any symptoms. In the remaining 20 percent. people, in turn, experience a rapid course of the disease.

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– Fortunately for us, hemorrhagic fever viruses are poorly adapted to humans and we can say that they are “stupid” because they very quickly cause clinical symptoms that are almost immediately visible – said virologist Dr. Tomasz Dzie citkowki in an interview with the Polish Armed Forces.

This means that the infected becomes clearly sick in a very short time, which facilitates its isolation and thus the spread of the pathogen in society.

Symptoms of Lassa virus infection

The Lassa virus intubation period ranges from five to 21 days. In the first few days, the patient develops mild symptoms that may be mistaken for e.g. influenza. However, between the third and sixth day, the condition of the infected person deteriorates rapidly. At this stage, there may be:

1. increasing fever
2. weakness
3. headaches
4. inflammation of the upper respiratory tract
5. vomiting
6. diarrhea

The patient develops blisters on the lips and mouth that burst and ulcerate. There is also conjunctivitis, facial swelling, and maculo-papular rash all over the body. In the case of severe infection, the patient develops a drop in blood pressure, hypovolaemia and oliguria. Neurological symptoms such as hearing loss, seizures, and coma are also possible.

Treatment of Lassa virus infection

At the moment, a vaccine for the Lassa virus has not yet been invented, and there are no specific drugs that can be administered to the patient so that his body can fight the virus. Treatment of the patient is therefore only symptomatic at present.

In the case of a severe course of infection, oxygen therapy is used, and disturbances in water, electrolyte and protein balance are corrected. There are drugs that can reduce mortality in severe patients, but they must be given early in order to be effective. They also cannot be given to pregnant women, and these are at risk for Lassa virus. It is estimated that the mortality rate among pregnant women in the third trimester exceeds 30%. The risk of death of the sick mother’s fetus or newborn is even higher – it is as much as 85 percent.

Just in case, it is worth having at home Inhalation oxygen in a can of VIGOR.

Lassa virus infection routes

Lassa is a zoonotic virus that is transmitted by rodents. Infection can occur through contact with an infected animal or its faeces (e.g. food contamination). Lassa can also be transmitted from person to person, which occurs through droplets, but also through sexual contact or breastfeeding (the virus can be passed on through breast milk).

Diagnosing the Lassa virus is analogous to the coronavirus – it is diagnosed through serological tests and PCR.

The best way to suppress an outbreak is to strictly isolate the sick person, as well as to quarantine the contact persons. Disinfection is also recommended.

Lassa can also reach Poland

The Lass virus should not be treated as an unrealistic threat that we will never have to face. According to virologist Dr. Tomasz Dzieśćtkowski, the pathogen may reach Poland. Same as Ebola or Zika.

– Poles also fly to West Africa for tourist purposes and will fly in the future. When the COVID-19 pandemic ends, there will probably be even more of these trips, so it is only a matter of time when Lassa, Zika or even Ebola viruses appear in our country – said the specialist.

Also read:

1. In 1967, the Marburg virus appeared in Germany. The sick looked like ghosts
2. Ranking of the most dangerous zoonotic viruses. Can they trigger another pandemic?
3. Coronavirus is not the first. The biggest epidemics in recent years