Wednesday, 7 March 2012

LASSA FEVER EPIDERMIC IN NIGERIA


The federal Ministry of Health has confirmed the outbreak of Lassa fever in some states of the federation; some people have been confirmed dead and several others infected.
It is therefore pertinent to remind ourselves of the origin and effects of the disease:
Lassa fever is an active viral hemorrhagic fever caused by Lass virus and first described in 1969 in the town of Lassa, in Borno State, Nigeria.
It is in an acute viral infection associated with persistent high fever. The virus is probably transmitted by contact with the faeces or urine of animals accessing grain stores in residences.
Lassa virus will infect almost every tissue in the human body. It starts with the mucosa, intestine, lings and urinary system and then progresses to the vascular system.
One can become infected by eating food contaminated with rat excreta or urine deposited on surfaces such as floors, beds, household utensils or in food and water. For instance surfaces of canned drinks or food and other stored food items. Person to person infection also occurs through direct contact or inhalation of infected body fluids including blood, urine, saliva, throat secretion to mention but few. Transmission through breast milk has also been observed.
Some symptoms of the disease, which are noticed between one to three weeks after being in contact with the virus include:

·         Fever                                                                                                   
·         Vomiting and Diarrhea
·         Sore throat
·         Facial swelling and Mucosal bleeding
·         Stomach Ache and Constipation               
·         Nausea
·         Cough
·         Pain behind the chest wall
·         Conjunctivitis
·         Back and Abdominal pain
·         Seizures

The antiviral drug “Ribavirin” is an effective treatment for Lassa fever when given early in the course of the illness. Patients suspected to have fever, or have persistent fever and do not respond to the standard treatment for malaria and typhoid, should report to the nearest hospital.
Lassa fever is prevented by promoting good community hygiene to mitigate against rodents from entering homes. Other effective measures include:

·         Disposing of garbage far from the house and maintaining a hygienic environment
·         Storing grains and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers
·         Washing the surfaces of stored canned foods before consuming content
·         Cooking all foods thoroughly

Fellows, it is appropriate to take proactive measures to ensure proper hygiene at all times. Be on alert and stay safe. It is better to be Safe than sorry.
Health is wealth!


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