Press statement by CapaCare International
Trondheim Norway, 21 November 2019
The Norwegian humanitarian NGO CapaCare confirms that one of its expatriate staff members is infected with Lassa fever in Sierra Leone. The concerned staff member is admitted in isolation in a Dutch hospital.
Lassa fever is an acute viral illness. Humans become infected through contact with the excreta of infected rats or by close person-to-person contacts (through bodily fluids). Lassa fever is endemic in the rodent population in parts of West Africa. Infections of Lassa occur annually in West Africa and causing by estimation 100,000 to 300,000 infections per year.
CapaCare and its Dutch affiliation (CapaCare the Netherlands), are closely monitoring the situation on the ground in Sierra Leone, in good collaboration with the local authorities and partner organisations, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation of Sierra Leone and the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).
Our hearts go to our employee and the family, we give them our greatest sympathy. Please respect the privacy of the employee and the family.
Chairman of CapaCare
Dr. Håkon Bolkan
Chairman of CapaCare the Netherlands
Drs. Josien Westendorp
For any additional information on Lassa Fever we kindly refer to the Dutch RIVM.
References / for more information about Lassa Fever:
