ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LASSA FEVER
What is Lassa fever?
LASSA FEVER is an acute viral infection caused by the Lassa virus. Chiefly
in West Africa Nigeria inclusive. It is an endemic disease.
The viral disease was first discovered in 1969 when two missionary nurses
died in a village in Nigeria.
Today, an outbreak of Lassa fever in the country has killed 43 people and
it will be advisable for people to know symptoms.
Lassa Virus is a member of the arena virus.
Family of viruses: Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease, meaning that humans
become infected from contact with infected animals. The animal reservoir
or host of Lassa virus is a rodent of genus Mastomys commonly known as
the “Multimammate rat” Mastomys rat infected with Lassa virus do not
become ill but they can shed the virus in their urine or faeces.
Once presence of the disease is confirmed in a place or community.
 Prompt isolation of affected patient
 Good Infection Protection and control
 Practices and rigorous contact tracing can stop outbreak.
MODE OF TRANSITION
It is transmitted to human from contacts with food or household items
contaminated with rodent urine or excreta.
SYMPTOMS
The symptom of Lassa fever occurs one to three weeks after the Patient
comes in contact with the virus.
Generally system includes general malaise (Body discomfort, Fatigue or
unpleasantness), weakness and Headache.
Others are Respiratory Distress, Bleeding in the Gum, vomiting, Facial
Swelling, Pain in the Chest Back and Abdomen as well as shock.
Neurological Problems such as Hearing Loss (Deafness), tremors and
encephalitis are symptom of severe cases.
Death may occur within 2 weeks after symptoms onset due to multi-organ
failure in an infected person.
HIGH RISK
Lassa fever occurs in all age groups and both sexes. Person at greatest risk
are those living in rural area where Mastomys are usually found, especially
in communities with poor sanitation or crowded living condition.
PREVENTION
Preventing Lassa fever is first knowing the source.
The disease is spread by exposure to and eating of food contaminated with
rat dropping or urine.
Prevention of Lassa fever relies on promoting good ‘Community Hygiene’
to discourage rodents from entering homes.
Effective measures are storing Grain and other food stuff in rodent proof
container disposing of garbage far from the home maintaining clean
household, understanding and practicising basic hand hygiene. Report
suspected case to designated health –care unit.
Restrict traveller from area where Lassa fever is endemic.
Health – care workers are to take pre-cautioning measure to curtail the
spread.
More of Awareness and Education of People on the danger posed by rats
should be made known to people.
TREATMENT AND VACCINATION
Early Detection of Lassa fever is being treated with Ribavirin and Patient
respond positively.
There is currently no vaccine that protect against Lassa fever.
CONCLUSION
In tackling Lassa fever, it is a collective efforts, just as we did to African
Swine Fever (ASF), Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Ebola.
Do not Panic; Spread the Message and Not the Fear.
Thank you.
LASSA FEVER
DO NOT
PANIC
PASS THE MESSAGE
NOT THE FEAR
Promote good farm
hygiene, discourage rodent
on farms and homes.
Good Inspection,
Protection and Control.
Prompt Isolation of
affected patient.
Extension Services
Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority.