Molecular confirmation of Lassa fever imported into Ghana.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recent reports have shown an expansion of Lassa virus from the area where it was first isolated in Nigeria to other areas of West Africa. Two Ghanaian soldiers on a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Liberia were taken ill with viral haemorrhagic fever syndrome following the death of a sick colleague and were referred to a military hospital in Accra, Ghana, in May 2013. Blood samples from the soldiers and five asymptomatic close contacts were subjected to laboratory investigations.

Objective

We report the results of these investigations to highlight the importance of molecular diagnostic applications and the need for heightened awareness about Lassa fever in West Africa.

Methods

We used molecular assays on sera from the two patients to identify the caus

SUBMITTER: Bonney JHK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5436394 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature