Infection prevention and control measures for emerging infectious disease: lessons learned from the first case of imported Lassa fever in China

Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic disease prevalent in West Africa. West China Hospital of Sichuan University (WCHSCU) received China’s first imported case of Lassa fever from overseas. We described the epidemiological investigation and infection prevention and control measures of this case following the confirmed diagnosis.

An emergency epidemiological team defined close contacts and implemented infection prevention and control (IPC) measures: (1) isolation in a designated isolation room, (2) environmental disinfection for high-, medium-, and low-risk areas, (3) 21-day quarantine for contacts. Data were collected via field observations and medical records.

We identified 6 close contacts and 74 general contacts, who were subsequently quarantined for 21 days. The hospital environment was classified into high, medium, and low-risk areas, and corresponding cleaning and disinfection measures were implemented. Ultimately, no new infection cases emerged.

Rapid risk stratification, strict isolation protocols, and multidisciplinary coordination effectively prevented transmission, underscoring the importance of preparedness in non-endemic regions.