Lassa fever is a severe and sometimes fatal hemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa fever virus (LAFV). First identified in 1969 in Nigeria, LAFV is an enveloped single stranded RNA virus that belongs to the genus mammarenavirus, of the Arenaviridae family of viruses. The natural reservoir for LAFV is the Mastomys natalensis rat, and transmission of LAFV to humans is through contact with contaminated rat urine and faeces. The virus is also spread from person-to-person via contact with contaminated human excreta, blood and bodily secretions, which causes a significant risk to health workers. LAFV is now endemic in West Africa and a significant outbreak of Lassa fever in 2016 resulted in 160 deaths.
Most individuals infected with LAFV remain asymptomatic but severe disease may occur in 15% of cases, with 1% of cases resulting in death. Symptoms of LAFV infection are variable, and non-specific, making early diagnosis difficult. The symptoms associated with Lassa fever range from mild fever, with headaches and fatigue, to severe life threatening multi organ failure. Early stages of the disease resemble symptoms of typhoid and malaria and therefore misdiagnosis is a risk.
Source:Recombinant protein corresponding to aa59-258 of Lassa Fever Virus GP1, fused to C-terminal mouse IgG2a Fc tag, expressed in HEK293 cells.
Strain:GA391
Storage and Stability:Aliquot to avoid repeated freezing and thawing and store at -70°C. Aliquots are stable for 6 months after receipt. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap.
