UNDERSTANDING LASSA FEVER

UNDERSTANDING LASSA FEVER

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  UNDERSTANDING LASSA FEVER PROJECTMATERIAL OF THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS C.D.S GROUP, MODAKEKE, IFE- EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AREA OFFICE.
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  OUTLINE OF PRESENTATION PATHOGENESIS AND AETIOLOGY  SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS  TRANSMISSION  PREVENTION  TREATMENT
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  PATHOGENESIS AND AETIOLOGY Lassa hemorrhagic fever is caused by the Lassa Virus.  First discovered in 1969 in Lassa town, Borno State, Nigeria.  The viral disease is highly spread in West African Countries.  Since the outbreak of Lassa fever 300-500,000 cases are recorded yearly.  5000 people are estimated to die from Lassa annually.  Lassa Fever outbreaks have occurred in Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea etc.  Lassa virus is a member of the Arenaviridae Virus Family.  It is similar to Ebola.
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  SIGNS AND SYMPTOMSOF LASSA  The asymptomatic incubation period for Lassa Fever lasts between 6- 21 days.  Symptoms of Lassa include Fever, Headache, Facial Swelling, Muscle Fatigue, Conjunctivitis, Mucosal Bleeding, Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting, Back Ache, Sore Throat and Joint Pain.  Rashes can also appear all over the body which are bloody and very painful.  The Genitals of the infected may also swell.
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  TRANSMISSION  Lassa Feveris spread chiefly from rodents to humans, specifically the Multimammate Mice i.e. Mastomys Natalensis.  This specie is commonly found in the human household  The rat sheds the virus in their Excreta i.e. Urine/Feces, their saliva and other bodily fluids.  The virus can also be aerolised i.e. dispersed finely in the air thus transmitted through inhalation.  Direct contact with the blood and bodily fluid of an infected person.
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  PREVENTION  Zero toleranceto rats at home and in food supplies is the ultimate measure for prevention.  Avoidance of contact with Rats.  Maintenance of effective personal hygiene and a clean household/environment.  Cooking of all foods thoroughly.  Fumigation of the Household and its immediate vicinity.  Washing of the hands always and  Not eating Rats.
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  TREATMENT  Early detectionand diagnosis greatly aids treatment, preventable death and reduces the risk of the transmission of the disease to others.  It must be noted that there is no Cure for Lassa Fever it can only be managed.  Also there is no Injection/Vaccine to prevent Lassa fever/
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  BEWARE BEWARE