LASSA FEVER OUTBREAK!!! PROTECT YOURSELF WITH THESE HEALTH TIPS!

Source: DOCTORSHUB NG

There has been an outbreak of lassa fever in Nigeria and sadly, the disease is spreading. Lagos is the latest state to be hit by the disease. Given the huge population of Lagos, it can become a huge problem if people don't arm themselves with preventive health tips.

Please, DO NOT panic. Get accurate information and keep yourself protected. Use the following health tips to prevent the infection:

1. MAINTAIN GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE: keep your immediate environment clean. Dispose off refuse, especially remnants of foods, which attract rodents to the home. Keep your waste bins properly covered always.

2. WATCH WHAT YOU EAT:
While the infection can also spread through physical contact with an infected person, the virus is mainly gotten from eating foods that have been contaminated with the urine or faeces of rodents which harbour the virus.

3. KEEP RODENTS AWAY FROM THE HOUSE:
Rodents are the carriers of the lassa fever virus. So keep the rodents off the house, vicinity, etc. But especially, do not allow them access to the kitchen where food stuffs are kept. Cover your foods properly. Use every effective means to eliminate the rodents from the home.

4. AVOID BUSHMEATS FOR NOW:
While most people cannot do without bushmeats, for the sake of your health, avoid bushmeats for now. Bush rats, Grasscutters, Squirrels, etc should be temporarily avoided.

5. SEEK URGENT MEDICAL HELP IF YOU NOTICE THE SYMPTOMS:
Usually, it takes about 2-21 days for symptoms to start manifesting. In most cases, the symptoms are mild and very similar to those of malaria and typhoid fever so it can be difficult to tell which is which. However, when it is very severe, symptoms like facial swelling, difficulty with breathing, very low blood pressure and most importantly bleeding from the mouth, nose, female genital and other orifices are present. Seek medical help immediately while you can.

NB: Report any suspected case to the nearest health care facility.