Lassa fever

[ lah-suh ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a highly contagious viral disease, largely confined to central West Africa, characterized by fever, difficulty in swallowing, and inflammation of the pharynx, often progressing to infect the lungs, heart, and kidneys, leading to death.

Lassa fever

noun

1. a serious viral disease of Central West Africa, characterized by high fever and muscular pains

Word History and Origins

Origin of Lassa fever¹

First recorded in 1965–70; after Lassa, Nigeria, village where it was first identified

Word History and Origins

Origin of Lassa fever¹

named after Lassa, the village in Nigeria where it was first identified

Example Sentences

Not long after, he was sent to Sierra Leone to help investigate an outbreak of Lassa fever, a virulent hemorrhagic virus.

From New York Times

The team found two key human genetic factors that could help explain why some people develop severe Lassa fever, and a set of LARGE1 variants linked to a reduced chance of getting Lassa fever.

From Science Daily

Multiple promising studies have identified antibody drugs that could prevent malaria, treat a hemorrhagic illness called Lassa fever or block Zika.

From Washington Post

Diseases like cholera and Lassa fever were linked to human movement after storms and floods.

From The Verge

The World Health Organization last week reported that climate change is accelerating outbreaks of monkeypox, Lassa fever, Ebola and other diseases.

From Washington Post