Time to reconsider the role of ribavirin in Lassa fever

Ribavirin is the only available Lassa fever treatment. The rationale for using ribavirin is based on one clinical study conducted in the early 1980s. However, reanalysis of previous unpublished data reveals that ribavirin may actually be harmful in some Lassa fever patients. An urgent reevaluation of ribavirin is therefore needed.

Automated summary

Ribavirin is currently the only available treatment for Lassa fever, but recent research suggests that it may be harmful to some patients, prompting an urgent reevaluation.