General information, not a diagnosis Method and limitations

CompareUseful differences

Compare infectious diseases

The same route of exposure may involve very different agents. Compare the mechanisms and prevention, then consult the original records and sources.

Choose up to four diseases

Agents, Exposures and Prevention

Documentary comparison of 3 diseases; no estimate of individual risk
BenchmarkEbola virus diseaseLassa feverCrimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever
AgentOrthoebolavirus spp.Mammarenavirus of LassaCrimea-Congo Orthonairovirus
FamilyVirusVirusVirus
Paths and contextsClose contact
Animal / zoonosis
Animal / zoonosis
Close contact
Vector
Animal / zoonosis
Close contact
What distinguishes diseaseRare and severe viral disease transmitted by direct contact with infected biological fluids or contaminated materials.Hemorrhagic fever endemic in several West African countries, linked to rodents and sometimes transmitted between humans.Viral zoonose transmitted by ticks or by contact with infected blood and tissues.
PreventionRapid detection, isolation and specialized care, appropriate equipment, contact monitoring and vaccination when applicable.Protect food and housing from rodents and apply appropriate care precautions.Tick protection, precautions when contacting animals and strict prevention of infections in care.
DeepeningForm →
WHO — reference
Form →
WHO — reference
Form →
WHO — reference
Diagnosis and monitoringConfirmation requires specialized analysis, including RT-PCR. Sampling and transport are carried by trained teams; several infections are similar to Ebola at the beginning.The confirmation involves specialized tests such as RT-PCR or antibody detection. Symptoms alone do not distinguish Lassa from malaria and other fevers.Specialized tests, including RT-PCR or detection of antigens and antibodies, confirm the infection. Sampling must be secured by trained teams.
Preparing for an exchange with a professional
  • Place and dates of stay
  • Nature and date of contact
  • Stay and exposure to rodents
  • Possible pregnancy and term
  • Tick and place
  • Slaughter or contact with blood

What this table allows to understand

The selected records cover 1 agent family/families. They share the following routes or contexts in our catalogue: Close contact · Animal / zoonosis. These associations describe the selected data; they do not measure contagiousness, severity or personal risk.

To review a comparison, choose one row and open the reference for each column. A preventive measure mentioned in one record and absent from another is not necessarily unnecessary in the second situation: the summaries and their scope may differ.

If symptoms occurThe table does not select any test or treatment. A fever after a stay in the malaria area should be reported promptly, even if prevention has been taken.
Understanding agent, vector and exposure →

Further reading

These publications help you verify the concepts discussed. Disease records and directory entries each identify their sources.

The content modification date does not mean that every source has undergone a new medical review. Verification method and scope.