Lassa Fever (Noun)
Meaning
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.
Classification
Nouns denoting natural processes.
Examples
- The patient was diagnosed with Lassa fever after returning from a trip to Nigeria, where the disease is common.
- Lassa fever is a highly infectious and potentially deadly disease that can be spread through contact with infected bodily fluids.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has classified Lassa fever as a Category A bioterrorism agent due to its potential for use as a bioweapon.
- Symptoms of Lassa fever can range from mild to severe and include fever, headache, and difficulty swallowing.
- Researchers are working to develop a vaccine against Lassa fever, which affects thousands of people in West Africa each year.