Lassa fever in children in Sierra Leone, West Africa

A systematic study of Lassa fever in febrile children was undertaken over a four-year period, from August 1977 to August 1981, in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone, West Africa. 479 patients were studied; of these, 245 had adequate specimens to confirm or exclude the laboratory diagnosis of Lassa fever. 51 cases of Lassa fever were identified (21% of patients from whom diagnosis was possible). Virus was isolated from 23 patients. All children had fever; cough and vomiting were present in over 60% of cases studied. The five to nine-year age group had the highest prevalence rate (41% of cases). Seasonal clustering occurred in April, May, and August. A significantly higher proportion of females than males had Lassa fever, a finding which remains to be explained. It is concluded that Lassa fever is a disease of significant concern in the paediatric age group.