LASSA FEVER

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Following the increasing numbers of Lassa fever cases reported from several states across Nigeria since January 2018, Nigeria have recorded over 16 deaths from 61 confirmed cases of Lassa fever across the county, i have decided to use this medium to create awareness on the need to prevent the spread of Lassa fever and take necessary precaution to crumb the outbreak of this virus .
Lassa fever is a hemorrhagic fever virus from the family arenaviridea, it is an acute viral illness lasting 1 to 4 weeks.

Transmission of Lassa Fever

Lassa fever occurs in all group and both sexes , person at greater risk are those living in rural areas where Mastomys are usually found , especially in communities with poor sanitation or crowded living conditions. Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease in meaning that human can get infected from contacts with infected animals.

Primary transmission

human contract the virus primarily through contacts with house hold items contaminated with rodent droppings (excreta), urine, infected multimammate rats (Mastomys natalensis) which is a natural reservoir for the virus.

Secondary transmission

transmission of the virus between humans occurs through direct contact with infected blood or bodily secretions. This occurs mainly between individuals caring for sick patients although any one who comes in contact with any one carrying the virus is at risk of infection.
Nossocomial transmission (transmission that occurs as a result of treatments in a hospital) and out break in health care facilities in endemic areas represents a significant burden on the health care system.
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Symptoms/Signs of Lassa Fever

The incubation period of lassa fever ranges from 6-21 days.
when symptomatic it gradually starts with
Fever
General weakness and malaise

After a few days
Headache
Sore throats
Muscle pain
Chest pain
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Cough
Abdominal pain

Severe cases
Facial swelling
Fluid in the lung cavity
Bleeding from the mouth,nose,vagina or gastrointestinal tract and low blood pressure may develop
Shock
Seizures
Tremor
Disorientation
Deafness
Coma may be seen in a later stage
Death usually occur within 14 days of onset in fatal cases.

Diagnosis

Lassa fever can be diagnosed in four ways :
1.Isolating the virus from the blood, urine, throat washings.
2.Demonstrating the presence of Immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti body to Lassa fever
3.Showing a fourfold rise in titer of IgM antibody between acute and convalescent phase serums.

1. Virus detention test

Prevention /Control

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community hygiene
Block all rat hideouts.
Cook all food thoroughly.
Cover all food and water properly.
If you suspect that rat has eaten any food , discard it.
Store foods in rodents free container.
Avoid contact with Mastomys rodents.
in health care settings, staff should always apply standard infection prevention and control precautions when caring for patents , regardless of their presumed diagnosis.
Laboratory workers are also at risk , samples taken from humans and animal for investigation of Lassa virus infection should be handled by trained staff and processed in suitable equipped laboratories under maximum biological containment conditions.
Health care workers caring for patients with suspected or confirmed Lassa fever should apply extra infection control measures to prevent contact with patients blood or bodily fluids , contaminated surfaces or materials.

Treatment

Ribavrin is an anti viral drug that has been used with success in people affected by Lassa fever, it has been shown to be mostly effective when administered early in the course of the illness

THERE IS CURRENTLY NO VACCINE FOR LASER FEVER

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