Lassa Fever is a viral disease with a very high mortality rate. The first recognized case occurred in 1969 in a nurse working at a Church of the Brethren mission hospital in Lassa, Nigeria. Hence the name, Lassa Fever. The illness begins with fever, sore throat due to tiny ulcers, nausea and vomiting. A blotchy rash often appears after a few days. As the illness proceeds, diarrhea begins and the vomiting continues. Clouding of consciousness occurs when the brain begins to swell. The patients who die have a severe encephalitis, as well as liver and kidney failure.