France - A case of Lassa fever confirmed in Île-de-France: health authorities fully mobilized

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A CONFIRMED CASE OF LASSA FEVER IN THE PARIS REGION: WHAT IS THIS VIRUS FROM WEST AFRICA?

Juliette Brossault
THE 05/02/2024 at 7:06 p.m.

A virus rarely detected in France. A patient suffering from Lassa fever is hospitalized at the Bégin military hospital, in Saint-Mandé in Val-de-Marne, BFMTV learned this Thursday, May 2. This virus is rare in the Northern Hemisphere because it is endemic in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

“The virus circulates almost permanently, especially in Nigeria, the most affected country but also the most populated in Africa. In all, it is estimated that 160 to 180 million people are potentially at risk,” explains Sylvain Baize, head of the biology of emerging viral infections unit at the Institut Pasteur .

Isolated cases have also been reported in Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, notes the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . In Benin, two epidemics were recorded in 2014 and 2016.
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https://www.bfmtv.com/sante/un-cas-...enu-d-afrique-de-l-ouest_AN-202405020824.html

 

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A case of Lassa fever confirmed in Île-de-France: health authorities fully mobilized

published on 02.05.24

The Ministry of Labor, Health and Solidarity was informed on May 1, 2024 of a confirmed case of Lassa fever. The patient, a soldier returning from abroad, was hospitalized in Ile-de-France. His state of health does not cause concern. A thorough epidemiological investigation is underway to determine the people who may have been in risky contact with the patient.

The health authorities are fully mobilized in the search for people who have had risky contact with the patient. The virus can be transmitted from person to person by direct contact with the blood, urine, excrement or other organic secretions of an infected person. The risk of secondary cases occurring is therefore limited to people who have had direct contact with the patient's biological fluids, in particular healthcare personnel who took care of them.

Contact persons at risk were contacted by the health authorities to advise them of what action to take. In particular, they are asked, in the event of the appearance of symptoms including fever, to isolate themselves and contact the doctor in charge of their follow-up. Monitor for symptoms for 21 days after last risky contact.

Lassa Fever is a notifiable viral hemorrhagic fever caused by an Arenavirus, the Lassa virus. The disease begins 6 to 21 days after infection with non-specific clinical signs: fever, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, asthenia. In severe cases, symptoms may worsen. The majority of cases (80%) are asymptomatic.

Press contact:
Ministry of Labor, Health and Solidarity
alerts-presse@sante.gouv.fr

​https://sante.gouv.fr/actualites/pr...rme-en-ile-de-france-les-autorites-sanitaires

 

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INTERVIEW. Lassa fever: “The epidemic potential is close to 0 in France. It will never be like Covid-19”

Health , Society , Social
Published on 04/05/2024 at 06:31
Collected by Yohan Lemaire

The essential Professor Christophe Rapp, specialist in infectious diseases at the American Hospital of Paris in Neuilly, analyzes the situation after a case of Lassa fever was detected in France.

What can you tell us about this Lassa fever disease?

Christophe Rapp: It is a viral disease caused by this so-called “Lassa” virus which was discovered in 1969 in Nigeria. There is a case in Europe approximately every two years. It is known to specialists in tropical diseases since it is classified as a viral hemorrhagic fever, in the same way as Ebola . The disease circulates widely in Nigeria and surrounding countries because this virus is transmitted by the mastomys rat and it is developing in these territories due in particular to poor waste management.

We have the impression of having never heard of Lassa fever in France. For what ?

Because this is the first case imported into the country. In terms of hemorrhagic fever, this is the 4th case in France. We had the first in 2004 which was Crimean-Congo fever (transmitted by ticks, Editor's note), then two cases of Ebola in 2014, which had been repatriated to France. That’s what’s new!

Is France ready to face it?

I think so, in France we have plans for managing viral hemorrhagic fevers. Infectious disease and emergency services are familiar with treatment, and know how to screen, isolate, treat and alert. This is what happened in recent days with this imported case. Our surveillance system in France is quite good. On the other hand, there is the problem of urban practitioners, who are on the front line and who know little about this disease. They will think of malaria etc, but Lassa fever is much less known and yet contagious.

What are the risks ?

The number 1 risk with these patients is the nosocomial risk. This is what is happening in Africa, people are not using protective measures. So the patient contaminates health workers, then caregivers. In Europe and France, the first cases are difficult to identify because the diagnosis is complex, so if the patient is not quickly isolated, caregivers can in turn be exposed and therefore secondary cases can follow.

But it is a little difficult to detect and isolate the patient early enough because not all hospitals necessarily have the necessary test. Then, an epidemiologist investigation must be carried out in order to list contact cases and monitor them for up to 21 days. This also concerns the caregivers who have worked with the patient.

Are the symptoms difficult to detect?

Yes because they are “non-specific” as they are called. That is to say, it is a fever that resembles flu or malaria. You have a fever, headaches... There are few suggestive signs since the hemorrhages occur later. Initially, it's just a person who has a fever and comes back from Africa. The priority is to eliminate malaria, which is the most common disease. The second, to eliminate dengue fever, which is the leading cause of hemorrhagic fever in the world. There may also be conjunctivitis, sore throats which can cause symptoms. But it is above all the questioning about the modalities of the trip which is important.

What message do you want to bring?

That this disease is not transmitted by respiratory and air routes. It is only transmitted if there is contact with the patient's fluids which would result from a lack of precaution on the part of the caregiver. So the epidemic potential of Lassa hemorrhagic fever in France following the importation of this case is close to 0. It will never be an epidemic like Covid -19 .
The final word ?

It should be remembered that in 2024, tropical diseases may, from time to time, be imported into so-called "endemic" areas, where they do not usually circulate.

https://www.ladepeche.fr/2024/05/04...ne-sera-jamais-comme-le-covid-19-11928491.php