Lassa Fever

Tags:
GS-III
S&T
Health

Lassa Fever

According to a recently released study, the spread of Lassa fever to the central and eastern regions of the continent over the next 50 years would be aided by climate change.

About Lassa fever:

Parts of West Africa are endemic to this zoonotic illness.
Causes: The Lassa virus, a member of the Arenaviridae family, is to blame.
The majority of the tropical and subtropical nations in Africa have multimammate rats, which are responsible for the disease's transmission through their urine and droppings.
Anything they come into contact with can become contaminated by them.
Human-to-human contact with tissue, blood, bodily fluids, secretions, or excretions can transfer the Lassa virus.
This includes breastfeeding, kissing, snoring, and sexual activity. In hospitals, infected equipment spreads the illness.
Hospitalized patients typically have a high death rate, which occasionally reaches 80%.
There is no vaccination that has been authorised to prevent the illness at this time.
Although it is not a recognised medical treatment, the antiviral medication Ribavirin is frequently used to treat Lassa fever.
Supportive care, such as hydration and oxygenation, as well as the management of particular disease-related problems, are additional operations. Research and development are now being done on preventative vaccinations.

Source: Down To Earth

Join Our Telegram

India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreem

India–Azerbaijan

05 Apr, 26
SHARE

A year after tensions arising from Operation Sindoor, India and Azerbaijan have taken steps to restore and normalise bilateral relations. The 6th round of Foreign Office Consultations, held in Baku, marked the first such engagement since 2022, signaling renewed diplomatic momentum. Recent Diplomatic Engagement During the consultations, bo

India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreem

04 Apr, 26
SHARE

The India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement has completed four years since its signing. Both countries now aim to build on this progress through strengthened collaboration and ambitious targets, including reaching AUD 100 billion in bilateral trade by 2030. What is the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Tra

ADR Report on Political Funding

03 Apr, 26
SHARE

A recent report by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) analyses donations of ?20,000 or more declared to the Election Commission of India (ECI) by national political parties for FY 2024–25, highlighting transparency and accountability in political financing. Key Findings Massive Funding Surge Total donations to nationa

Maritime Chokepoints

03 Apr, 26
SHARE

Maritime chokepoints are narrow channels along global shipping routes where maritime traffic is concentrated. These points are geopolitically and economically critical, as they handle a large proportion of global trade, especially energy shipments. Current Relevance Over two-thirds of seaborne energy trade passes through a handful o

US-Israel-Iran War

01 Apr, 26
SHARE

Following the launch of Operation Epic Fury (U.S.) and Operation Roaring Lion (Israel), the geopolitical landscape has shifted fundamentally with the confirmed death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.Iran retaliated through Operation True Promise 4, launching missile attacks against Israel and nearby Gulf states. The escala