What is Lassa fever?
Lassa fever is a hemorrhagic fever virus from the family Arenaviridae. It is an acute viral illness lasting one to four weeks, and it occurs in West Africa and some areas beyond.
CAUSES OF LASSA FEVER
Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease i.e a disease that spreads from animals to humans. Lassa fever virus is an Arenavirus.
It is spread to people through contact with household items or food contaminated with the rodent droppings or urine of infected multimammate rats (Mastomys natalensis).
These rodents live throughout West Africa in homes, and they can shed this virus without being ill. People most often become infected through inhaling aerosols in air contaminated with rodent excretions, swallowing the virus in food or contaminated utensils (or multimammate rats eaten as food), or through open wounds. Lassa fever virus is believed to be endemic (always present) in Benin, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and some parts of Nigeria. It has also been detected in the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Gambia, and Central African Republic.
IS LASSA FEVER CONTAGIOUS?
Yes it can spread from person to person. But its spread is not as common as ebola virus.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS.
according to medicinenet, Lassa fever begins with a flu-like illness and includes symptoms such as fever, malaise, generalized weakness, sore throat (appearing very similar to strep throat and without runny nose), severe headache, chest pain (especially behind the breastbone), back pain, and ringing ears. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea also occur. Hemorrhage is not common in less serious disease, but loss of fluid from blood vessels into tissue may occur; this causes facial swelling, reddened whites of the eyes, and fluid accumulation around the lungs and heart. Dry cough and respiratory distress may occur if illness involves fluid in the lungs. Severe disease may cause encephalitis with confusion, tremors, seizures, and coma; organ failure and shock are often end-stage events.
TREATMENT.
early detection is the key. When you know by the symptoms, quickly go to your nearest hospital or clinic.
PREVENTION
*Quickly deal with rodent infestation around you.
*Hand washing habits should be encouraged in our society. Let is be taught in our schools and homes.
* The use of hand sanitizers at our hospitals , homes e.t.c should also be encouraged.
* Bush meat must be cooked under intense heat to ensure it is free from virus
If you notice any signs and symptoms of lassa fever around you, please do not attempt to treat it at home. Quickly take the person to the nearest hospital.
For further question. Kindly use the comment box below.
Lassa fever is a hemorrhagic fever virus from the family Arenaviridae. It is an acute viral illness lasting one to four weeks, and it occurs in West Africa and some areas beyond.
CAUSES OF LASSA FEVER
Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease i.e a disease that spreads from animals to humans. Lassa fever virus is an Arenavirus.
It is spread to people through contact with household items or food contaminated with the rodent droppings or urine of infected multimammate rats (Mastomys natalensis).
These rodents live throughout West Africa in homes, and they can shed this virus without being ill. People most often become infected through inhaling aerosols in air contaminated with rodent excretions, swallowing the virus in food or contaminated utensils (or multimammate rats eaten as food), or through open wounds. Lassa fever virus is believed to be endemic (always present) in Benin, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and some parts of Nigeria. It has also been detected in the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Gambia, and Central African Republic.
IS LASSA FEVER CONTAGIOUS?
Yes it can spread from person to person. But its spread is not as common as ebola virus.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS.
according to medicinenet, Lassa fever begins with a flu-like illness and includes symptoms such as fever, malaise, generalized weakness, sore throat (appearing very similar to strep throat and without runny nose), severe headache, chest pain (especially behind the breastbone), back pain, and ringing ears. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea also occur. Hemorrhage is not common in less serious disease, but loss of fluid from blood vessels into tissue may occur; this causes facial swelling, reddened whites of the eyes, and fluid accumulation around the lungs and heart. Dry cough and respiratory distress may occur if illness involves fluid in the lungs. Severe disease may cause encephalitis with confusion, tremors, seizures, and coma; organ failure and shock are often end-stage events.
TREATMENT.
early detection is the key. When you know by the symptoms, quickly go to your nearest hospital or clinic.
PREVENTION
*Quickly deal with rodent infestation around you.
*Hand washing habits should be encouraged in our society. Let is be taught in our schools and homes.
* The use of hand sanitizers at our hospitals , homes e.t.c should also be encouraged.
* Bush meat must be cooked under intense heat to ensure it is free from virus
If you notice any signs and symptoms of lassa fever around you, please do not attempt to treat it at home. Quickly take the person to the nearest hospital.
For further question. Kindly use the comment box below.
What should one do if he finds rat faeces inside his cup of tea after drinking it?
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