» How to Prevent Lassa Fever Infection.

According to the WHO, Lassa fever is an
acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by
Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus
family of viruses and was first described in
1969 in the town of Lassa, in Borno State,
Nigeria. It is transmitted to humans from
contacts with food or household items
contaminated with rodent excreta. The
disease is endemic in the rodent population
in parts of West Africa. Lassa fever
frequently infects people in West Africa
resulting in 300,000 to 500,000 cases
annually and causes about 5,000 deaths each
year.
The possibility of person-to-person
infections with about 80% of the cases being
asymptomatic and laboratory transmission
makes it a very dangerous disease,
particularly in the hospital environment in
the absence of adequate infection control
measures. Thus the marked importance of
educating the entire populace of the
presence of this awaiting time bomb present
amidst us.
SYMPTOMS OF LASSA FEVER
The signs and symptoms of Lassa fever
commonly happen 4-21 days after post
infection with the virus. For most of those
with a Lassa fever virus infection; around
80%, symptoms are mild and under-
diagnosed. Mild symptoms include:
Weakness
Headaches
Slight fever
General illness
Around 20% of infected people; however,
the disease might progress to more serious
symptoms that include haemorrhaging of the
person’s eyes, gums, or nose – repeated
vomiting, respiratory distress, pain in the
back, chest and abdomen, facial swelling
and shock. Neurological issues have also
been described in relation to Lassa fever, to
include tremors, hearing loss and
encephalitis. An infected person may die
within two weeks of their initial symptoms
because of multi-organ failure.
The most common complication of Lassa
fever is deafness. Different degrees of
deafness happen in around one-third of
those who become infected. In many cases,
the hearing loss is permanent. The severity
of the disease does not affect this particular
complication; deafness might develop in
mild as well as severe cases.
Between 15-20% of people who are
hospitalized for Lassa fever die from the
illness. Only 1% of all Lassa virus
infections; however, result in the person’s
death. The death rates for women in the third
trimester of pregnancy are exceptionally
high. Spontaneous abortion is a very serious
complication of the infection; an estimated
95% mortality rate in foetuses of infected
mothers is an alarm sounding off. Due to the
fact that the symptoms of Lassa fever are so
non-specific and varied, clinical diagnosis is
often times difficult. Lassa fever is also
associated with occasional epidemics.
During these epidemics, the fatality rate may
reach as high as 50% in people who become
hospitalized.
WAYS OF PREVENTING LASSA FEVER.
The good thing about this very disease is
that it is preventable. Prevention of Lassa
fever in the community is first about
shutting out the reservoir host. Thus, the
importance of good hygiene. Here are some
more measures to keep in place:
Avoid contact between rats and human
beings;
Keep your house and Environment clean
Cover all foods and water properly.
Cook all foods thoroughly
Store foodstuffs in rodent proof containers
Block all rat hideouts
If you suspect that rat has eaten any food,
discard it
In endemic environments the use of face
masks, hand gloves and contact with
affected persons should also be avoided.
STAY HEALTHY! !! !!!