Lassa Fever: What You Need To Know

There’s been a recent outbreak of Lassa Fever that unfortunately claimed lives in Kaduna state and other parts of Nigeria and before it gets to a point where all of us are dead,we have to understand this disease and how to prevent it.

Lassa Fever is an acute hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus and transmitted by infected rodents. It is mainly transmitted to humans through contact with food or items contaminated by the urine or feces of infected rats. It could also be spread through cuts and scratches or inhaled dust particles in the air.

80% of the cases are not life threatening but the remaining 20% could also cause severe organ dysfunction with or without hemorrhage.

The virus is difficult to diagnose because it present no symptoms or multiple symptoms. Early detection and care improves survival and it is treated with ribavirin. There is no vaccine for this virus. So how do you protect yourself against this disease?

Set traps and poison to get rid of rats around your vicinity. Keep food well covered in containers and wash your hands after handling surfaces or areas where rats are known to frequent. Do not consume anything that may have been contaminated by rats. There is no vaccine for this virus and it’s hard to deal with, so please take the necessary steps to avoid this disease.