In eastern Sierra Leone, ecologist James Koninga searches through a dimly lit mud and thatch home, retrieving a metal rat trap from beneath a collapsed bed frame. Koninga, who once battled Lassa fever himself, understands the urgency of tracking this deadly viral disease transmitted by infected rats.
A decade after the devastating Ebola outbreak, which claimed over 11,000 lives across Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, Sierra Leone faces a new health challenge with Lassa fever.
Despite the success of Ebola vaccinations and containment efforts, Lassa fever remains a persistent threat.
In Kenema district, where Ebola first emerged, scientists draw on past experiences to combat Lassa fever. While less deadly than Ebola on average, Lassa fever still poses significant risks, with a severe illness rate of 20% and a 15% fatality rate among severe cases.
The lack of a licensed vaccine and limited treatment options exacerbate the challenges.
Remote villages like Mapuma, enveloped by dense forests, face heightened risks due to close proximity to rat habitats and limited healthcare access.
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Efforts to monitor and control rodent populations are critical.
Trappers in these villages capture potentially infected rats, which are tested and treated to prevent viral transmission. However, challenges persist, including misdiagnosis due to symptoms resembling other common illnesses like malaria.
Despite declining admissions at Sierra Leone’s only dedicated Lassa treatment center, Kenema Government Hospital, cases are now observed year-round, challenging previous seasonal patterns. Improved testing and environmental changes, such as deforestation, contribute to these shifts.
Community education and outreach efforts play a crucial role in encouraging early treatment and improving hygiene practices. Yet, lingering mistrust from the Ebola era continues to affect healthcare-seeking behaviors.
As Sierra Leoneans like Musa Mosoh, a Lassa survivor, advocate for improved healthcare access and awareness, health officials emphasize the need for continued vigilance and preparedness. The ongoing development of a Lassa vaccine offers hope for future control measures, but the lessons of Ebola remind them of the urgency to act swiftly and decisively against emerging health threats.
AFP
