Lassa Fever Management in Maryland County Liberia

This book include the findings from a research study that examined the knowledge attitude and practices towards Lassa fever (LF) management among health care workers in Maryland County Liberia West Africa. Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic zoonotic disease that is of a major Public Health importance in West Africa affecting Nigeria Guinea Sierra Leone and Liberia. It has become an endemic disease within the northern part of Liberia. This virus is transmitted by the rodent of the genus Mastomys’ natalensis commonly known as the “multi-mammate rat.” The Mastomys rats are the carrier of the virus which is active in their urine and feces. The virus is a single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the virus family Arenaviridae. All healthcare workers in West Africa should have comprehensive knowledge of Lassa fever due to the endemic nature of the disease.