[img]https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/12509858_421517504714596_8406592144192985271_n.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoiYiJ9&oh=8cf24b4c3f14f647bb75d00aa65c4f41&oe=57489B6F[/img]
[b]One case of Lassa fever has been confirmed in
Lagos. The case, which was diagnosed at the
Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-
Araba, involves a 25-year-old student from the
Ahmadu Bello University.
The patient is said to have been admitted first at
a private hospital in Ojokoro area of Lagos State
before he was transferred to LUTH.
According to the Minister of Health, Professor
Isaac Adewole, the patient is responding to
treatment.
The Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee
(CMAC), Dr. Olufemi Fasanmade, also disclosed
that the patient has been isolated at the
Accident and Emergency (A&E) unit of the
hospital. Fasanmade said, “containment area
being devised, ribavirin available. We will use
theatre in A&E as isolation ward. No need to
panic. But limit movement to A&E if not
necessary. Our trained staff on ground.”
Source : http://omojuwa.com/2016/01/lassa-
fever-confirmed-in-lagos-as-man-is-quarantined/
[img]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/LassaRat.png[/img]
At least 40 Nigerians have lost their lives to the
current outbreak of Lassa Fever across 10 states
of the federation, but the ministry of health
continues with efforts to keep the figures that
low while eliminating the virus.
Isaac Adewole, minister of health, had said at a
press conference on Tuesday, that “the good
news is that there have been no new confirmed
cases or deaths in the last 72 hours . This is a
reflection of our coordinated response and
advocacy to all states.”
To keep Nigerian safe, here are seven things you
need to know about the viral disease and how to
contain it.
[img]http://www.nigerianmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/lassa-fever-virus.jpg[/img]
LIKE EBOLA LIKE LASSA – DEADLY
Information is power to conquer, not power to
intimidate. This is to arm with you with
necessary information to combat the disease
and not to scare you.
Ebola and Lassa have so many things in common
including, mode of transmission, symptoms, and
origin. While Ebola was named after a River in
Congo in 1976, Lassa is named after a village in
Borno state, where the disease broke out in
1969, killing two missionary nurses.
Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease, meaning that
humans become infected from contact with
infected animals, which are mainly rats.
Like Ebola, Lassa is deadly, and is estimated to
kill 5,000 people in West Africa, every year.
[img]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f5/LassaBoy.png[/img]
LASSA CURRENTLY IN 10 STATES
The first case of the current outbreak was
reported from Bauchi in November, 2015. This
was followed by cases reported by Kano State.
According to the minister of health, the States
affected include Bauchi, Nassarawa, Niger,
Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Plateau, Gombe and
Oyo States.
[img]https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xlp1/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/12548849_421518561381157_5827030401226935951_n.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoiYiJ9&oh=09cd3f960aba067063deff75eb3741b2&oe=570B4D93[/img]
The total number so far reported is 93 and 41
deaths, with a mortality rate of 44 percent.
[img]https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Mastomys_natalensis.jpg[/img]
LASSA CAN BE TRANSMITTED VIA SEX
TOO
According to the World Health Organisation
(WHO), the disease can be transmitted via
sexual intercourse with infected persons, with
such cases reported in the past.
However, it is usually contracted from exposure
to urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats. It
may also be spread between humans through
direct contact with the blood, urine, faeces, or
other bodily secretions of an infected person.
Person-to-person transmission occurs in both
community and health-care settings, where the
virus may be spread by contaminated medical
equipment, such as re-used needles.
Lassa fever occurs in all age groups and both
sexes. Persons at greatest risk are those living in
rural areas where Mastomys are usually found,
especially in communities with poor sanitation or
crowded living conditions.
[color =red]Rat with multiple bwest(the lassa carrier)[/color]
[img]https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/12510363_421518558047824_6384159505948170256_n.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoiYiJ9&oh=7cf473161d9afdaf6cca8621969be9a1&oe=5747B02E[/img]
HOW TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE
CONTRACTED LASSA FEVER
One of the tricky issues with this disease is that
it is largely asymptomatic, meaning a patient
may be a carrier of a disease or infection but
experience no symptoms at all.
The good news, however is that, for most
asymptomatic cases, the disease may resolve
itself and “die a natural death” or eventually
show up symptoms which must be combated
immediately.
According to Centre for Disease Control (CDC),
signs and symptoms of Lassa Fever typically
occur one to three weeks after the patient
comes into contact with the virus. For the
majority of Lassa fever virus infections
(approximately 80%), symptoms are mild and are
undiagnosed. Mild symptoms include slight fever,
general malaise and weakness, and headache.
In 20 percent of infected individuals, however,
disease may progress to more serious symptoms,
including hemorrhaging (excessive bleeding in
gums, eyes, or nose, as examples), respiratory
distress, repeated vomiting, facial swelling, pain
in the chest, back, and abdomen, and shock.
Neurological problems have also been described,
including hearing loss, tremors, and encephalitis.
Death may occur within two weeks after
symptom onset due to multi-organ failure.
[img]https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtl1/v/t1.0-9/fr/cp0/e15/q65/12509316_421581308041549_8228260091043415635_n.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoiYiJ9&oh=8717a1309e19d04c9d238b84e9cf67ab&oe=5705CB27[/img]
LASSA HAS NO CURE
Lassa, like many other diseases bedevilling the
world today, has no cure. However, ribavirin, an
antiviral drug, has been used with commendable
success in Lassa fever patients.
It has been shown to be most effective when
given early in the course of the illness, but
patients also receive supportive care consisting
of maintenance of appropriate fluid and
electrolyte balance, oxygenation and blood
pressure, as well as treatment of any other
complicating infections.
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GOOD NEWS: LASSA CAN BE PREVENTED
Prevention of Lassa fever is possible. That is
basically built around promoting good
“community hygiene” to bar rats from entering
homes.
Grains and other foodstuffs should be stored in
rodent-proof containers, while disposing garbage
far from the home, maintaining clean
households.
A large number of Nigerians do not love keeping
cats, but the WHO prescribes that keeping cats
can help keep Lassa fever away, by keeping rats
away altogether.
Family members should always be careful to
avoid contact with blood and body fluids while
caring for sick persons.
[img]http://pad1.whstatic.com/images/thumb/8/83/Recognize-and-Treat-Lassa-Fever-Step-3.jpg/460px-Recognize-and-Treat-Lassa-Fever-Step-3.jpg[/img]
TREATMENT IS FREE IN NIGERIA
Ribavirin is relatively cheap, but said to be
expensive for those really affected by the
outbreak, hence, Isaac Adewole, the minister of
health, has said “all health facilities in the
country are hereby directed to emphasize routine
infection prevention and control measures, and
ensure that all patients are treated free”.
If any of the symptoms highlighted above are
seen, Nigerians are advised to immediately
contact the state epidemiologist in the state
ministry of health or call the Nigeria Centre for
Disease Control and Federal Ministry of Health
using the following numbers: 08093810105,
08163215251, 08031571667 and 08135050005.
Remember, treatment is free![/b]∓
