/ 12 November 1999

LASSA FEVER IN SIERRA LEONE

AN outbreak of Lassa fever in eastern Sierra Leone has killed at least 80 people, while about 100 more are in an extremely serious condition in Segbwema Town, a doctor said. Dr Ibrahim Turay said: “The outbreak has been prevalent for some 10 months now since we took over Segbwema,” 255km east of Freetown. He added that a bloody diarrhoea is also prevalent in the area and is killing about 10 children daily.