Lujo hemorrhagic fever

Lujo hemorrhagic fever is a rare and severe illness caused by the Lujo virus, which belongs to the Old World arenaviruses. It was first identified in Zambia, Africa, and is considered a zoonotic disease, meaning it likely originates from animals, although the specific animal source is not yet known. The condition has been noted for its high severity, partly because of its strong potential for transmission in healthcare settings.

People with Lujo hemorrhagic fever often experience a high fever along with bleeding manifestations. These hemorrhagic symptoms are an important characteristic of the disease as noted in early cases.

This condition is caused by the Lujo virus. It is a zoonotic infection, which means it likely comes from animals, though the exact animal reservoir has not been determined. There is also a moderate to high risk of spreading the virus in healthcare settings, contributing to its overall impact.

Information about treatment is currently limited for this condition.

The outlook for people with Lujo hemorrhagic fever is very serious. Early reports have documented an extremely high fatality rate of 80% from the few known cases. This signifies that the condition has a grave prognosis.

Information about research is currently limited for this condition.