YOUR QUESTIONS ON LASSA FEVER ANSWERED.

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Hello beautiful people, how are you doing? hope all is going on well? We thank God for life. Any challenge? any struggles? don't forget to mention it in prayer continuously. God is able.

Yesterday, I woke up with the news of Lassa fever discovered in Lagos, I can't but remember that I haven't mentioned Lassa fever in this space, I want to answer your questions on this subject. Happy reading.



what is Lassa fever?

It's an endemic disease caused by infection with Lassa virus, not coronal virus as some may think. It causes a hemorrhagic fever (it has ability to cause bleeding). it could be serious and lead to death. it is also a highly contagious disease.
Rat (Mastomys natalensis) multi-malmate rats to be precise are the reservoir of this infection. the virus can be isolated from the body fluid of this type of rat and humans can be infected through ingestion of food contaminated by its body fluids, it can also be contacted from an infected person.


what are the signs of Lassa fever?

study the picture below

What is the prevention of Lassa fever?

1. Hand washing and other universal precaution. Treat all body fluids as if infected.
2. Environmental hygiene, proper disposal of refuse.
3. Kitchen hygiene, ensure your kitchen is clean free of food remnants that can attract rats.
4. Store all food in a rat-proof container.
5. Warm and cook all food properly, avoid eating cold food
6. Block all rats hideouts and holes
7. Use face masks while sweeping, especially in areas where there are rodents. Dust could contain remains from rats.
8. Do not touch dead rats, dispose it accordingly.
9. Take anyone with the above symptoms to the hospital immediately.
10. Keep cats in the house.


What are the roles of environmental health officer in this outbreak?

1. Ensuring good environmental hygiene, via proper refuse disposal.
2. Supporting waste management authority in ensuring a clean environment.
3. Enlightening the raw food sellers in the market on proper storage of food stuffs away from rodents.
4. Enforcing laws and regulations concerning environmental hygiene.
5. Regular inspection of homes and market environment to meet minimum standard of hygiene.
6. Fumigation of markets and food stores.

What is the treatment of Lassa fever?

After proper diagnosis, treatment is usually supportive and with the use of a drug called Ribavirin.


What do I tell my child about Lassa fever

Lol....just quote these words and give appropriate non verbal cues "baby, there is an infection that is called Lassa fever, you know what? it can make you sick and your body will be hot, see, it's gotten from rats so as from today, you must run away from rats and don't eat any thing you feel rat has touched. Don't forget to wash your hands always with soap and water and throw dirt in the dust bin away from rats, do you understand me"   Lolz.. am smiling here.

So that will be all the questions I will answer on Lassa fever. do you have more questions?, or more fears to share? you can always comment in the box provided or send me an email here bolahealthcare4u@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you. 

BolaHealth Cares.


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