Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa Virus which infects rodents.
It is transmitted through the urine and droppings of infected rats found in most countries in Africa.
They can contaminate anything they come in contact with, especially food items. The Lassa virus spreads through human-to-human contact with tissue, blood, body fluids, secretions or excretions. This includes coughing, sneezing, kissing, sexual intercourse and breastfeeding. It also spreads in hospitals through contaminated equipment.
Infected persons are likely to get ill within 6-21 days after contracting the disease.
The first symptom is usually fever, thereafter headaches, coughing, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, mouth ulcers, followed by swollen lymph glands.
Some Lassa fever patients can also feel muscle, abdominal and chest pains. In the long-term the disease could result in swelling of the patient’s neck and face as well as bleeding of internal organs. Lassa fever is a fatal disease, but treating it after early diagnosis is very possible.
With the recent cases of Lassa across the country; Edo being one of the endemic states, the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration has firmed up mechanisms to fight the menace with the donation of some Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital.
The Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has over the years equipped the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital with dialysis machines, ventilators, personal protective equipment and drugs, among others required for effective management and treatment of victims of the disease.
It is advised that citizens and residents of the state adhere to all preventive measures already put in place by the state government and some approved health institutions in order to avoid contracting the Lassa virus.
These preventive measures include avoiding contact with rodents, especially in geographic regions where outbreaks occur; storing food in rodent-proof containers and keeping the home clean; helping to discourage rodents from entering homes. Not using these rodents as a food source is also one of the recommended ways to prevent this disease. Reducing rodent population through the use of traps in and around the home, also helps to reduce or eliminate the incidence of contracting the disease.
When caring for patients with Lassa Fever, further transmission of the disease through person-to-person contact can be avoided by taking preventive precautions against contact with fluid secretions from the patient’s body.
These precautions include wearing protective clothing such as masks, gloves, gowns; using infection control measures, such as complete equipment sterilization; and isolating infected patients from contact with unprotected persons until the disease has run its course.
It is also important to set up a mechanism for improving environmental sanitation in a sustainable way within communities in Edo State to reduce rodent population as well as their contact with humans.
It is the determination of the state governor to see that Edo emerges victorious in the war against Lassa Fever as the safety and health of all residents in the state remain a top priority for the administration.
By Omoruyi Patricia O. and Edebor Esther
