Important Facts To Know About Lassa Fever

■ Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhage fever caused by lassa virus.

■ First described in 1969 in Lassa town of Borno state Nigeria from where it got its name.

■ Spread to humans from rodents specifically multimammate rats (Mastomys natalensis) with multiple breast.

They live in our homes especially where we store foods.

■ MODE OF SPREAD:

□ These rats carry the deadly virus in their saliva, urine and faeces.

So ingestion of foods/drinks contaminated by these, or eating rats as food, or inhaling tiny particles from the air contaminated by these infective droppings are means of transmission.

□ Direct contact with a sick person’s blood/bodily fluids through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth is also a means of transmission.

□ Sexual transmission can also occur.

■ Difficult to distinguish from Ebola, Marbug and common illnesses causing fever e.g Malaria and typhoid.

■ Since the recent outbreak, over 76 deaths recorded with over 200 cases and over 17states affected including Ogun.

■ Incubation period 6-21days.

■ Treatment involves use of Antiviral drug Ribavarin. Note, NO VACCINE EXIST FOR LASSA FEVER.

■ EARLY SYMPTOMS: Fever,chills, headache, loss of appetite, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, general weakness, muscle/joint aches.

■LATE SYMPTOMS: Bleeding from the eyes, nose, mouth, rectum, vagina (including heavy or prolonged menses), swelling of the eyes, face or genitals, general body rash often blood filled.

Thereafter, low BP, shock, coma and DEATH may occur.

■PREVENTION: Early detection aids in the treatment, prevents death and curtails the spread.

○ Good personal hygiene.

○ Regular hand washing with soap and clean water, hand sanitisers may also be used.

○ Keep your homes/surroundings CLEAN and rat free.

○ Avoid all contact with rats, block all their hideouts and eradicate all rats by use of rat poisons , traps, fumigation etc.

○ Avoid eating rats as foods.

○ Cook all foods thoroughly.

○ Wash all fruits/vegetables thoroughly before use including kitchen utensils and cutlery.

○ Store foodstuffs and water in rodent proof and air tight containers.

○ Do not spread food items along the roadsides.

○ Throw away all food items partly eaten by rats.

■ IF YOU SUSPECT LASSA FEVER, OR SEE ANY FEVER NOT RESPONDING TO THE STANDARD TREATMENT OF MALARIA AND TYPHOID ETC, REPORT APPROPRIATELY TO THE DESIGNATED LASSA FEVER CENTRES IN YOUR STATE.