Definition

Noun: 1. A severe viral hemorrhagic illness: Lassa fever is an acute, often severe, viral disease caused by the Lassa virus. It is endemic in parts of West Africa. 2. A zoonotic disease: The virus is primarily spread to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated with urine or feces of infected Mastomys rats (multimammate rats). 3. A potential bioweapon: Due to its severity and contagious nature, the Lassa virus is classified as a potential biological weapon agent.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The hospital established an isolation unit for the suspected case of Lassa fever.
  • Researchers are working to develop a more effective vaccine for Lassa fever.
  • Early diagnosis and supportive care are critical for treating Lassa fever.

Advanced Usage

• "Lassa fever outbreak": Refers to the occurrence of cases of the disease in a community or region above what is normally expected.
  • Health authorities moved quickly to contain the Lassa fever outbreak in the state.
• "Lassa fever virus" / "Lassa virus": Refers specifically to the pathogen that causes the disease.
  • The Lassa fever virus is a member of the Arenaviridae family.

Variants and Related Words

• Lassa virus (n): The specific arenavirus that causes Lassa fever.
• Hemorrhagic fever (n): A broader category of severe, often fatal illnesses caused by several distinct virus families, of which Lassa fever is one type.
• Arenavirus (n): The family of viruses to which the Lassa virus belongs.

Synonyms

• Lassa hemorrhagic fever: A more descriptive synonym that emphasizes the bleeding symptoms.
• Lassa virus infection: A more clinical term focusing on the causative agent.

Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs)

• Rodent-borne: Describes diseases transmitted by rodents, such as Lassa fever.
• Nosocomial transmission: Refers to the spread of an infection within a healthcare setting, which is a significant risk with Lassa fever.
• Ribavirin: The antiviral drug used to treat Lassa fever.

Noun

1. an acute contagious viral disease of central western Africa; characterized by fever and inflammation and muscular pains and difficulty swallowing; can be used as a bioweapon