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! !! !!!
Monday 25 January 2016
Metuh, Before You Become Methuselah.…
Ridding a corrupt country like Nigeria of
corruption will take a little while, but it has to
start from somewhere and by someone.
Corruption is a complex social, political and
economic phenomenon that affects all
countries.
It undermines democratic institutions, slows
down economic development and contributes
to governmental instability. Corruption attacks
the foundations of democratic institutions by
distorting electoral processes and conducts,
perverting the rule of law and creating
bureaucratic quagmires whose only reason for
existing is for soliciting bribes.
Economic progress is stunted as foreign direct
investment is discouraged and small businesses
within the country often find it impossible to
overcome the “start-up costs” required because
of corruption.
Corruption threatens our national security and
gives rise to a safe haven for terrorist. This is
the scenario we find ourselves as a nation.
It was on the ground of ridding the country of
corruption that President Buhari came into
power. And since his ascension to the highest
position in the land, his greatest efforts and
strength have been channeled to defeating the
Boko Haram insurgency and fighting against
corruption.
Both efforts seem to be yielding results, as to
some extent, one can say that the Boko Haram
insurgency has been incapacitated even though
not completely defeated while the fight against
corruption is just but taking shape.
Nevertheless, corruption is a symptom of deep-
seated and fundamental economic, political
and institutional weaknesses of a country. The
fight against corruption will be effective, when
measures against it address the underlying
causes and not just the symptoms. President
Buhari must move beyond the fighting against
corruption, and build lasting institutions that will
live on after he is out of office.
Emphasis must not just be placed on fighting
corruption but also be placed on preventing
corruption by tackling the root causes that give
rise to it through undertaking economic,
political and institutional reforms. The Treasure
Single Account (TSA) is a valuable initiative, but
it is just one of the many initiatives needed to
prevent corruption.
Anti-corruption enforcement measures such as
oversight bodies, a strengthened police force,
more efficient laws and reliable law courts
amongst others, are needed to genuinely curb
and prevent corruption. This is because
corruption and institutional weaknesses are
linked together and they feed on each other.
So, getting rid of corruption helps a country to
overcome other institutional weaknesses, just
as reducing other institutional weaknesses
helps to curb corruption.
One of the fights against corruption since the
inception of this administration has been the
thorough investigation into how the funds
meant for arms procurement were spent and
those involved in the spending. Quite a number
of people have been arrested in connection to
the illegal spending of the arms procurement
fund and the “latest man” on the roll is the
spokesman of the opposition party, Chief Olisa
Metuh.
Olisa Metuh is the current spokesman of the
onetime biggest political party in Nigeria and in
Africa at large. He was not so vocal a
spokesman; he was not even vocal enough as
his counterpart, Lai Mohammed, when he was
the spokesman of the then opposition party.
Nonetheless, one thing is sure; he defended his
party to the last and spoke always positively
about his party. And to him, there was no time
his party was wrong.
Unfortunately for him, officials of the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on
Tuesday, January 5, 2016, stormed his Abuja
home, took him away to their custody and since
then, his life has never remained the same.
He was remanded in Kuje Prison by an order of
a Federal High Court in Abuja with respect to
charges of money laundering involving N400m,
part of money meant for procurement of arms,
which he collected from the Office of the
National Security Adviser in November 2014.
He was later produced in court by prison
officials and was granted bail to the sum of
N400m as bail bond. Not too bad of a bail
condition!
But you see, you need not have to run when
nothing and no one is pursuing you, and fear no
guilt if your hands are clean. But for Metuh,
while in the custody of the EFCC, he was
alleged to have destroyed the evidence against
him and again, re-arraigned before a Federal
High Court in Maitama, Abuja, which ordered
that he be remanded over two counts of
destruction of evidence and mischief preferred
against him by the EFCC.
And on Friday, 22nd January, 2016, for the
second time in just two days, he was granted
bail in the sum of N300m with two sureties in
like sum. The total bail sum now N600m.
Putting the two bail conditions together, the
spokesperson of the People`s Democratic
Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, will need a total of N1
billion to secure is bail from Kuje prison while
his case continues.
Pathetically, now that the Deputy National
Publicity Secretary of his party, Alhaji Abdullahi
Jalo, had said that it would be wrong for
anyone to be expecting the party to provide
sureties for Metuh when the party did not
benefit from the money he allegedly collected
from the former National Security Adviser, Lt
Col. Sabo Dasuki (retd.). It means Olisa Metuh
is on his own and has a long way to go. But to
me, it seems his journey has not even started.
The point is, will Olisa risk getting his bail with a
bond of N1 billion when it`s not even sure of
winning the case? Would it be better he stays in
Kuje and seek for a speedy hearing of his case
so his fate can be quickly decided? Well,
whatsoever happens to Metuh, and those
involved in the arms procurement scandal
should teach the rest of us that power is
transient and the greatest gift a true leader can
give to his people is selfless leadership, that is
devoid of greed and wickedness.
Less than a month in Nigerian prison, Olisa has
grown older than what he`d be in 5 years time.
He has grown grey beards and not really
looking like the Metuh we used to know-
looking skinny and perhaps already
experiencing the other part of the world.
Before now; the evil that men do live after
them, but now the evil they do live with them.
Those that are standing with Metuh should
better stand right with him with all their might.
Else, he becomes Methuselah in Nigerian
prison.
corruption will take a little while, but it has to
start from somewhere and by someone.
Corruption is a complex social, political and
economic phenomenon that affects all
countries.
It undermines democratic institutions, slows
down economic development and contributes
to governmental instability. Corruption attacks
the foundations of democratic institutions by
distorting electoral processes and conducts,
perverting the rule of law and creating
bureaucratic quagmires whose only reason for
existing is for soliciting bribes.
Economic progress is stunted as foreign direct
investment is discouraged and small businesses
within the country often find it impossible to
overcome the “start-up costs” required because
of corruption.
Corruption threatens our national security and
gives rise to a safe haven for terrorist. This is
the scenario we find ourselves as a nation.
It was on the ground of ridding the country of
corruption that President Buhari came into
power. And since his ascension to the highest
position in the land, his greatest efforts and
strength have been channeled to defeating the
Boko Haram insurgency and fighting against
corruption.
Both efforts seem to be yielding results, as to
some extent, one can say that the Boko Haram
insurgency has been incapacitated even though
not completely defeated while the fight against
corruption is just but taking shape.
Nevertheless, corruption is a symptom of deep-
seated and fundamental economic, political
and institutional weaknesses of a country. The
fight against corruption will be effective, when
measures against it address the underlying
causes and not just the symptoms. President
Buhari must move beyond the fighting against
corruption, and build lasting institutions that will
live on after he is out of office.
Emphasis must not just be placed on fighting
corruption but also be placed on preventing
corruption by tackling the root causes that give
rise to it through undertaking economic,
political and institutional reforms. The Treasure
Single Account (TSA) is a valuable initiative, but
it is just one of the many initiatives needed to
prevent corruption.
Anti-corruption enforcement measures such as
oversight bodies, a strengthened police force,
more efficient laws and reliable law courts
amongst others, are needed to genuinely curb
and prevent corruption. This is because
corruption and institutional weaknesses are
linked together and they feed on each other.
So, getting rid of corruption helps a country to
overcome other institutional weaknesses, just
as reducing other institutional weaknesses
helps to curb corruption.
One of the fights against corruption since the
inception of this administration has been the
thorough investigation into how the funds
meant for arms procurement were spent and
those involved in the spending. Quite a number
of people have been arrested in connection to
the illegal spending of the arms procurement
fund and the “latest man” on the roll is the
spokesman of the opposition party, Chief Olisa
Metuh.
Olisa Metuh is the current spokesman of the
onetime biggest political party in Nigeria and in
Africa at large. He was not so vocal a
spokesman; he was not even vocal enough as
his counterpart, Lai Mohammed, when he was
the spokesman of the then opposition party.
Nonetheless, one thing is sure; he defended his
party to the last and spoke always positively
about his party. And to him, there was no time
his party was wrong.
Unfortunately for him, officials of the Economic
and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on
Tuesday, January 5, 2016, stormed his Abuja
home, took him away to their custody and since
then, his life has never remained the same.
He was remanded in Kuje Prison by an order of
a Federal High Court in Abuja with respect to
charges of money laundering involving N400m,
part of money meant for procurement of arms,
which he collected from the Office of the
National Security Adviser in November 2014.
He was later produced in court by prison
officials and was granted bail to the sum of
N400m as bail bond. Not too bad of a bail
condition!
But you see, you need not have to run when
nothing and no one is pursuing you, and fear no
guilt if your hands are clean. But for Metuh,
while in the custody of the EFCC, he was
alleged to have destroyed the evidence against
him and again, re-arraigned before a Federal
High Court in Maitama, Abuja, which ordered
that he be remanded over two counts of
destruction of evidence and mischief preferred
against him by the EFCC.
And on Friday, 22nd January, 2016, for the
second time in just two days, he was granted
bail in the sum of N300m with two sureties in
like sum. The total bail sum now N600m.
Putting the two bail conditions together, the
spokesperson of the People`s Democratic
Party, Chief Olisa Metuh, will need a total of N1
billion to secure is bail from Kuje prison while
his case continues.
Pathetically, now that the Deputy National
Publicity Secretary of his party, Alhaji Abdullahi
Jalo, had said that it would be wrong for
anyone to be expecting the party to provide
sureties for Metuh when the party did not
benefit from the money he allegedly collected
from the former National Security Adviser, Lt
Col. Sabo Dasuki (retd.). It means Olisa Metuh
is on his own and has a long way to go. But to
me, it seems his journey has not even started.
The point is, will Olisa risk getting his bail with a
bond of N1 billion when it`s not even sure of
winning the case? Would it be better he stays in
Kuje and seek for a speedy hearing of his case
so his fate can be quickly decided? Well,
whatsoever happens to Metuh, and those
involved in the arms procurement scandal
should teach the rest of us that power is
transient and the greatest gift a true leader can
give to his people is selfless leadership, that is
devoid of greed and wickedness.
Less than a month in Nigerian prison, Olisa has
grown older than what he`d be in 5 years time.
He has grown grey beards and not really
looking like the Metuh we used to know-
looking skinny and perhaps already
experiencing the other part of the world.
Before now; the evil that men do live after
them, but now the evil they do live with them.
Those that are standing with Metuh should
better stand right with him with all their might.
Else, he becomes Methuselah in Nigerian
prison.
Big Girl Cries: I Need Husband, My younger Sisters are Married.
Love is not always fair but you should not give
up. Read this lady's story and see what to make
of it...
I have been dating this guy since April last year.
He is a good person and pampers me a lot.
Right now in my life, I'm tired of just being a
girlfriend as I am no longer a baby ( I am 32).
Two of my younger sisters are married with
kids so you may know how I feel.
I don't want to come across as desperate but I
need direction in my life. I'm looking for a man
who is ready for serious commitment. He is 34
and very comfortable and will always make me
call his mum and his sisters thereby giving me
clues but he is yet to say anything officially and
I have other men who I have kept on a long
thing because of him but my friends are telling
me that he is not serious hence his delay in
defining the relationship.
I cant keep doing this. I will clock 33 in a few
months and I don't even have a ring yet he acts
like he owns me. You need to see him raking if I
smile or receive compliment from other men. I
want a serious commitment and I dont have
time. And when I say serious, I mean marriage
and babies.
So, at what point should I ask him if he wants
the same without scaring him off? How do I
even bring it up without sounding desperate,
marriage or baby crazy? As in a subtle way or
do I go straight up?
Please help a sister out before I ruin this.
up. Read this lady's story and see what to make
of it...
I have been dating this guy since April last year.
He is a good person and pampers me a lot.
Right now in my life, I'm tired of just being a
girlfriend as I am no longer a baby ( I am 32).
Two of my younger sisters are married with
kids so you may know how I feel.
I don't want to come across as desperate but I
need direction in my life. I'm looking for a man
who is ready for serious commitment. He is 34
and very comfortable and will always make me
call his mum and his sisters thereby giving me
clues but he is yet to say anything officially and
I have other men who I have kept on a long
thing because of him but my friends are telling
me that he is not serious hence his delay in
defining the relationship.
I cant keep doing this. I will clock 33 in a few
months and I don't even have a ring yet he acts
like he owns me. You need to see him raking if I
smile or receive compliment from other men. I
want a serious commitment and I dont have
time. And when I say serious, I mean marriage
and babies.
So, at what point should I ask him if he wants
the same without scaring him off? How do I
even bring it up without sounding desperate,
marriage or baby crazy? As in a subtle way or
do I go straight up?
Please help a sister out before I ruin this.
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