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The Curious Bag
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Lassa fever is a severe, hemorrhagic fever that's prominent in West Africa. The person infected with it often bleeds to death. It is caused by a virus, meaning that antibiotics will not help cure the disease.
Rodents
The multimammate rat, which comes from the genus Mastomys, is the main vector (carrier) of Lassa fever. These rats are known to enter homes and colonize in them.
Contact With Contaminated Objects
Lassa fever can also be spread through contact with contaminated objects or foods. If a Mastomys rat leaves infected urine in a house, the members of the household can make contact with the virus and get sick.
Open Sores
Those with open sores or cuts are especially susceptible to contracting the virus.
Direct Contact with Sick Person
Lassa fever can be spread through person-to-person contact. If a healthy person comes into contact with infected blood, secretions or excretions of an infected person, he has been exposed to the fever.
Inhaling Secretions
Lassa fever can spread if a healthy person inhales tiny contaminated particles from infected rodent excretions.
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