There is an outbreak currently ongoing in Nigeria😢
There are confirmed cases in Ondo, Asaba, Enugu, Ebonyi,
Kano, Edo, Plateau, Bauchi and Taraba states.
There have been *82* confirmed cases and *14* deaths so far
across Nigeria from Lassa fever.
It is a *VIRAL HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER* caused by the *LASSA VIRUS*
which is naturally found in rodents especially *RATS*
*HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER MEANS THAT IT CAUSES BLEEDING FROM
ALMOST ALL PARTS OF THE BODY: EARS, EYES, NOSE, MOUTH, VAGINA, ANUS AND FINALLY
DEATH*
More cases are recorded during the dry season i.e. November
through May.
Lassa fever is spread through:
Direct contact with urine, feces, saliva or blood of
infected rodents.
Ingesting food and drinks contaminated with the above.
Contact with objects or surfaces contaminated with urine,
feces, saliva or blood of infected rats.
PERSON TO PERSON transmission can also occur through
contact with blood, urine, feces, vomitus and other body fluids of an infected
person.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF LASSA FEVER
The early stages of Lassa fever present initially like other
febrile illnesses such as malaria.
Symptoms of the disease generally include:
Fever
Headache
Sore throat
General body weakness
Cough
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Muscle
pains
Chest pain
Swollen face
In severe cases;
Unexplainable bleeding
from ears, eyes, nose, mouth, vagina, anus and other body orifices
The incubation period (time between infection and appearance of symptoms of the disease) is 3 to 21 days. Early diagnosis and treatment increase the chances of survival.
Here are a few prevention tips:
Ensure proper sanitation – i.e. keep your environment
clean at all times, block all holes in your house to prevent the entry of rats
Cover your dustbins and dispose of refuse properly.
Communities should setup dump sites very far from their homes to reduce contact
with rodents.
Store foodstuffs in containers which are well covered with
tight-fitting lids.
Avoid eating foods and fruits that have been eaten by
rats.
Avoid drying foodstuff outside on the floor, roadside
where it will be exposed to contamination
Avoid bush burning which can lead to the displacement of rats
from bushes to human dwellings
Eliminate rats in homes, set rat traps.
NEVER HANDLE RATS
WITH BARE HANDS, DEAD OR ALIVE.
•Practice good personal hygiene by frequent washing
hands with soap under running water/or use of hand sanitizers when appropriate.
• Visit the nearest health facility if you notice any of
the signs and symptoms above.
Healthcare workers are advised to practice standard
precautions at all times: i.e. wearing gloves while handling patients or
providing care to an ill patient/relative.
• Healthcare workers should maintain a high index of
suspicion for Lassa fever.
Any febrile illness that has not responded to 48 hours use
of anti-malaria or antibiotics is suspicious.
Please if your healthcare worker suspects Lassa fever let
him or her contact your local government disease surveillance and notification
officer to access care in Nigeria.
*NCDC Toll-Free Number: 0800-970000-10
SMS: 08099555577
WhatsApp: 07087110839
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the comment writers alone and does not reflect or represent the views of Armstrongug
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