Things you should know about Lassa Fever

1. Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic fever caused by Lassa virus. Lassa fever is seen in West Africa.
2.  It was first discovered in 1969  in Lassa village of Borno state in Nigeria.
3. The reservoir or host of Lassa virus is a rodent known as the multimammate rat Mastomys natalensis.
4. Once the rodent is infected with the virus, the rodent is able to excrete the virus in urine and droppings.
5. Infection can be through direct contact with infected materials, touching soiled objects,eating contaminated food or exposure to open cuts or sores. Contact with virus may also occur when a person inhales tiny particles in the air contaminated with infected rodent excretions.
6. Person to person transmission may occur after exposure to virus in the blood, tissue, urine etc.
7. Signs and symptoms of Lassa fever typically occur 1-3 weeks after the patient comes in contact with the virus. Symptoms include Fever, general malaise,weakness, headache, sore throat.Haemorrhaging(bleeding) in gums, eyes, nose may occur. Respiratory distress, repeated vomiting, facial swelling, pain in the chest, back and abdomen can also be seen. Death may occur within 2 weeks after symptom onset due to multi organ failure.
8. Lassa fever can be treated with an antiviral agent called Ribavirin, provided the affected person presented early enough and prompt diagnosis of Lassa fever made.
9. Lassa fever is prevented by avoiding contact with infected people and rodents. Foods should be stored in rodent proof containers.Health care givers must practise barrier nursing methods by proper personal protective equipment like face masks, gloves, gowns and goggles when attending to infected patients.

         Prevention is better than cure. Stay healthy guys. Feel free to ask questions.Thanks for visiting .