Below are important facts you should know about Lassa Fever

1. Lassa Fever is a haemorrhagic disease (like Ebola) caused by a virus which is found in certain rats. Nigeria is endemic for the disease, meaning there's always a case of Lassa fever in certain areas of the country

2. The disease is spread to humans through contact with food contaminated with the faeces or urine of infected rats/rodents

3. The disease can spread from person to person through contact with blood or secretions of infected persons (very easy in hospital settings or when caring for an infected relative), re-use of injection needles and sexual intercourse!

4. Between 1-15% of affected persons will die from the disease. That is, out of every 10 infected persons, 1-2 cases will be fatal. Lassa fever is very severe in pregnant women who are in the third trimester leading to death in up to 80% of cases

5. The disease lasts for one to 4 weeks but in fatal cases, death usually occurs within 14 days

6. There is no vaccine for the disease but antiviral agent, Ribavirin is very useful if given early

7. Symptoms include weakness, headaches, fever, feeling of being unwell but may progress to more serious symptoms such as bleeding into the eyes, gums, nos, etc., repeated vomiting, difficulty in breathing, pain in the back, chest and abdomen, facial swelling, shock, etc.

8. Lassa fever can be prevented by good hygiene practices. Prevent rats/rodents from entering homes or gaining access to food. Store your grains (rice, beans, corn) and other foods in containers with tight covers. Always cover your food. Dispose garbage far from your home.

9. Health workers and other care givers must maintain the strictest hygiene when caring for infected patients. Wear gloves, face protection, long sterile gowns, use respiratory protection, employ safe injection practices and safe burial practices

10. Lassa fever can be exported by travelers from an infected area to other regions or countries. All cases must be immediately reported.


......................Blogged by Dr. Kay (Guest blogger for The Tea Room)
http://www.tearoomng.com/2016/01/lassa-fever-facts-you-should-know.html

More on Prevention of the spread:
It is important to promote 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 food and water properly.

· Cook all food thoroughly

· Store foodstuffs in rodent proof containers

· Block all rat hideouts

· If you suspect that rat has eaten any food, discard it

· Family members should always be careful to avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons.

· Disposing of garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households

· Effective measures include storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers.

. Wash fruits thoroughly before eating and rinse canned drinks before taking them.

Please share with all your contacts esp those in rural areas.

Cc: Dominique, Sissy3, lalasticlala

[size=15pt]Pls abeg, put the specific rat o, cos e get one wey we de chop. And other rat de chop us, starting from the leg, so u go wear socks b4 sleeping [/size]