January 7, 2015 – The Lagos State Government has warned residents to be careful as they go about their normal duty, following the outbreak of Lassa fever in some states.
In a statement, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris said the warning becomes imperative following outbreak of the disease in Taraba, Niger, Nassarawa, Bauchi, Kano and Rivers States leaving many dead and others hospitalized.
“Lassa fever is caused by infection with the Lassa virus which is spread by rats that live in large numbers in West, Central, and East Africa. They carry the virus in their urine and faeces and live in homes and areas where food is stored. The disease can be contacted through ingestion of foods and drinks contaminated by the saliva, urine and faeces of infected rats, catching and preparing infected rats as food, inhaling tiny particles in the air contaminated with infected rat urine or dropping and through direct contact with a sick person’s blood or body fluids, through mucous membranes, like eyes, nose, or mouth”, the commissioner said.
He noted that those at the highest risk include health workers, families and friends of an infected person in the course of feeding, holding and caring for them.
“Early symptoms of the disease which occur within three weeks of coming in contact with the virus include fever, headache, chills, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, backache, and joint pains. Late symptoms include bleeding from the eyes, ears and nose, bleeding from the mouth and rectum, eye swelling, swelling of the genitals and rashes all over the body that often contain blood. It could progress to coma, shock and death”, the commissioner said.
He noted that persons who present any symptoms with a positive history of been in contact with a suspected or infected person or health worker who had treated either suspected or confirmed infected person should be directed to the ministry of health.
He assured that Lassa fever can be treated adding that antiviral drugs have been used successfully to treat it.
“The earlier a person presents, the better the outcome of treatment. For prevention and control of Lassa fever, the general public is therefore advised to avoid contact between rats and human beings, observe good personal hygiene including hand washing with soap and running water regularly, proper disposal of waste, clean environment so that rats are not attracted and storage of foods in rat-proof containers.
Resident are also advised to cook all foods thoroughly before eating,
“ The public should also report any persistent high fever, patients not responding to standard treatment for malaria and typhoid fever to the nearest health center, All fluids from an infected person are extremely dangerous. Health workers are also advised to be at alert, wear personal protective equipment, observe universal basic precautions, nurse suspected cases in isolation and report same to the LGA or Ministry of Health immediately”, the he added.
