BRIEFLY ON LASSA FEVER:
Lassa fever is an acute viral infection found in the tropics, especially in West Africa. Lassa fever is caused by a single-stranded RNA virus that is animal borne (zoonotic). Lassa fever can cause a potentially fatal illness, is highly contagious, and can rapidly spread. The reservoir, or host, of the Lassa virus is a rodent known as the 'multimammate rat.' People can become infected by eating this infected rat or by eating food contaminated by the rat's excretions. Person-to-person transmission also occurs via direct contact, contamination of skin breaks with infected blood, and aerosol spreads (virus particles moving through the air).
SYMPTOMS OF LASSA FEVER
The first symptoms typically occur 1 to 3 weeks after the patient comes into contact with the virus and may include high fever, sore throat, cough, eye inflammation (conjunctivitis), facial swelling, pain behind the breastbone, back pain, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, cough,Sore throat,Back pain,Muscle,pains,Vomiting,Diarrhea, facial swelling,Loss of appetite,Weight loss,Severe chest pain,Severe abdominal pain,Blood pressure changes,Sudden hypotension,Swollen neck,Swollen face,Swollen eyes,Ringing in ears,Rash,Bleeding, that lasts for several days. The antiviral drug ribavirin is used for treatment along with supportive care.
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.
Lassa fever occurs more often in the dry season, rather than in rainy season. If you notice any symptoms proceed to any hospital nearby for treatment
Note: (rats eaters are hereby advised to stop eating bush rats for safety reasons). Let's start campaign against the spread of Lassa fever! I pray for God's own Grace upon us all!
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