LASSA FEVER, RATS & YOU

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. It was first described in 1969 in the town of Lassa in Borno State, Nigeria in the Yedseram river valley at the South end of Lake Chad.

Apart from Nigeria, outbreaks of the disease have been observed in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Central African Republic.

The Primary host of the Lassa virus is the Natal Multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis).

MODE OF TRANSMISSION

• The virus can be transmitted by contact with faeces or urine of infected rats accessing food stuffs, edibles and water.

• Inhaling tiny particles of infected materials (aerosols).

• Exposure of broken skin or mucous membranes directly to infected materials.

• Through an infected person to person.

• Through airborne route or with direct contact with infected human blood, urine or semen.

• Through breast milk.

Further research by scientists stipulates that it poses serious health risk for health workers.

According to Lassa fever research statements, the virus is so potent that it will affect almost every tissue in the human body. It starts with the mucosa, intestine, lungs and urinary system and then progresses to the vascular system.

SYMPTOMS

·        Fever

·        Facial swellings

·        Muscle fatigue

·        Conjunctivitis

·        Mucosal bleeding

·        Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, chest pain and so on.

PREVENTION

1.      Keep rodents (rats) out of homes, water and food supplies.

2.      Improve and maintain effective personal and environmental hygiene.

3.    Gloves, masks, laboratory coats, goggles e.t.c. are advised to be used while in contact with an infected person.

TREATMENT

Report any case of infection to the health care centre nearest to you.

Also, during an awareness rally by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, he urged everyone to adhere to the preventive measures so as to prevent an outbreak of the disease in the State.

…all about positive influence.

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