an outbreak of five cases of VHF in September and October 2008. In four cases (80% of total known infections) the infection was fatal. The fifth case was treated with ribavirin early after onset of clinical disease (was detected through active contact tracing), an antiviral drug which is effective in treating Lassa fever, and survived; however, complete ribavirin's effectiveness against Lujo virus remains unknown but may be useful as adjunctive therapy. References External links Scientists have identified a lethal new virus in Africa that causes bleeding like the dreaded Ebola virus. Viral diseases Arenaviridae Zoonoses Hemorrhagic fevers Tropical diseases Rodent-carried diseases