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- Title
Imported Lassa Fever in Germany: Surveillance and Management of Contact Persons.
- Authors
Haas, Walter H.; Breuer, Thomas; Pfaff, Günter; Schmitz, Herbert; Köhler, Päivi; Asper, Marcel; Emmerich, Petra; Drosten, Christian; Gölnitz, Uta; Fleischer, Klaus; Günther, Stephan
- Abstract
This study sought to assess the risk of secondary transmission after import of Lassa fever into Europe. A total of 232 persons exposed to a case of Lassa fever imported into Germany were identified. The level of exposure was determined for 157 persons (68%), and 149 (64%) were tested serologically. High-risk or close contact was reported by 30 (19%) of 157 persons. No symptomatic secondary infections were observed. However, Lassa virus-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies were detected in a serum sample obtained from a physician who examined the index patient on day 9 of illness. The physician received ribavirin prophylaxis and did not develop symptoms of Lassa fever. On the basis of these data, the contact was classified as having a probable secondary infection. The study indicates a low risk of transmission during the initial phase of symptomatic Lassa fever, even with high-risk exposures. The risk may increase with progression of disease and increasing virus load.
- Subjects
GERMANY; LASSA fever; INFECTIOUS disease transmission
- Publication
Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2003, Vol 36, Issue 10, p1254
- ISSN
1058-4838
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1086/374853