Lassa hemorrhagic fever: See full discussion of HFs (West Africa, including Nigeria): Lassa fever is caused by hantavirus. The incubation period ranges from 7-21 days. Presentation of Lassa fever varies. Common early symptoms are gradual onset of fever, malaise, headache, and abdominal pain. Other symptoms are conjunctivitis, facial swelling, sore throat, non-productive cough, retrosternal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, back pain, and myalgia. Respiratory rate, temperature, pulse rate are increased and blood pressure decreased. Neurological symptoms may also occur, including hearing loss, tremors, and encephalitis. Hemorrhagic manifestations (not usually evident) may include mucosal bleeding and, less frequently, conjunctival, gastrointestinal, or vaginal bleeding. Severe infections produce hemorrhagic manifestations, pleural effusions, and shock. Pregnant women are more likely to die than are others. Some degree of deafness occurs in about 30% of patients. Treatment is supportive and also includes ribavirin as discussed in the full discussion of hemorrhagic fevers.
Not to scare anyone...but the hantavirus is rumored to be bioweapon capable. It is far less deadly then anthrax. (5-10% range)
But if you don't smoke, you'll be fine. </sarcasm
Hantavirus is endemic in the Southwest among rodents,though I don't think it has ever shown up as far East as Houston. There was an outbreak on an Indian Reservation in Arizona or New Mexico about ten years ago.
While the symptoms may look similar to Anthrax at first, it is a virus and will look nothing like Anthrax when cultured.
So9