Question: Who is at risk for Lujo Hemorrhagic Fever (LUHF)? ?
Answer: Like all arenaviruses, Lujo virus has a rodent host as its reservoir. Humans can contract LUHF through contact with an infected rodent. Contact can be direct or through inhalation of aerosolized Lujo virus from the urine or feces of infected rodents. Person-to-person transmission of Lujo virus was observed in the small, nosocomial cluster of hemorrhagic disease which resulted in the discovery of the Lujo virus. Transmission of arenaviruses, and Lujo virus in particular, is most likely the result of direct contact with the body fluids of an infected person, in the absence of infection control precautions.
Source: CDC

Question: What are the symptoms of Lujo Hemorrhagic Fever (LUHF) ?
Answer: The symptoms of Lujo hemorrhagic fever, as described in the five patients in the original cluster outbreak, resemble those of severe Lassa Fever. After an incubation period of 7 to 13 days, the clinical course started by a non-specific febrile illness accompanied by headache and muscle pain. The disease increases in severity, with: - a morbilliform rash of the face and trunk - face and neck swelling - pharyngitis (sore throat) - diarrhea Bleeding was not a prominent feature during the illness. In the fatal cases (4/5 patients), a transient improvement was followed by: - rapid deterioration with respiratory distress - neurological signs and circulatory collapse Death occurred 10 to 13 days after onset. Low blood platelets, low white blood cell count (at the onset, rising later on) and elevated liver function values were present in all patients. Since Arenaviruses may enter the fetus through infection of the mother, and anectodal evidence suggests that infected pregnant women may suffer miscarriages, it is reasonable to assume that both infection of the fetus and miscarriage may be associated with Lujo infection in the mother.
Source: CDC

Question: Who is at risk for Lujo Hemorrhagic Fever (LUHF)? ?
Answer: Lujo hemorrhagic fever (LUHF) occurs in southern Africa. The initial case was certainly infected in Zambia. Field workers Field workers are at greatest risk because of increased human contact with the reservoir rodent population. Sexual partners of field workers may be at greater risk as well. In addition to nosocomial infection in healthcare workers already described, laboratory infections have been frequently described with Arenaviruses and Lujo virus can certainly be transmitted to laboratory workers during manipulation of the virus, especially during experimental infections of rodents.
Source: CDC

Question: How to diagnose Lujo Hemorrhagic Fever (LUHF) ?
Answer: During the acute febrile phase, Lujo virus was isolated from blood from days 2 to 13 after onset. Virus was also isolated from liver tissue obtained post-mortem. A subsequent complete genomic analysis of Lujo virus facilitated the development of specific molecular detection (RT-PCR) assays. Serologic diagnosis of Lujo hemorrhagic fever can be made by indirect immunofluorescent assay and ELISA. However, individuals from endemic areas displaying fever, rash, pharyngitis, accompanied by laboratory findings of low platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes, should be suspected of having a hemorrhagic fever virus infection. Clinical specimens should be tested using specific assays.
Source: CDC

Question: How to prevent Lujo Hemorrhagic Fever (LUHF) ?
Answer: Although rodent control would be desirable, it will not be a successful strategy for preventing Lujo hemorrhagic fever cases caused by exposures outdoors. As for other hemorrhagic fevers, full barrier nursing procedures should be implemented during management of suspected or confirmed LUHF cases (no infection occurred after their implementation in South Africa).
Source: CDC