📎 AI Summary:
The thread focuses on concerns that Lassa fever, which is endemic in West Africa, is about to peak and may be overlooked as attention shifts to the Ebola crisis. The main questions raised are how Lassa’s symptoms can resemble Ebola and whether health systems and resources are prepared—especially given reports of severe outcomes despite treatment efforts. Overall sentiment is alarmed and concerned, with contributors highlighting the risk that Lassa could cause serious outbreaks while being neglected.
whoosh

whoosh

Cooler King
Staff member
Joined
Apr 15, 2009
Messages
48,248
Thread Author #1
The peak season for Lassa fever in West Africa is about to begin. The viral haemorrhagic fever has been largely forgotten in the Ebola crisis, and health workers are warning that they may not have the resources to deal with the disease if cases increase.
At first sight the symptoms of Lassa are identical to Ebola. There can be bleeding, vomiting and fever. But whereas Ebola is a new outbreak, Lassa is a constant presence. Every year it infects from 300,000 to 500,000 people, killing up to 20,000.
All of the countries worst hit by Ebola are home to Lassa fever. On Friday, Dr Geraldine O'Hara from Doctors Without Borders (MSF) told the BBC that one of her colleagues had died of Lassa despite all efforts to save her.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-29868394 :eek: :headache:
 

You must log in or register to reply here.