LASSA FEVER ALERT

KNOW THE FACTS WHAT IS IT?
It is an acute viral infection associated with persistent high fever caused by Lassa Virus.

WHERE IS IT FOUND?
It was discovered first in Lassa, Borno State, Nigeria in 1969. However, it can be found in other places, especially in West Africa e.g. Liberia, Guinea and Seirra Leone.

HOW IS IT SPREAD?
People become infected by eating infected bush rat or eating food contaminated with the rat excreta/urine deposited on surfaces such as floors, beds, household utensils or in food and water (e.g. grains spread out to dry along the roads by farmers).
Person to person spread also occurs by direct contact or inhalation of infected body fluids such as blood, urine, saliva, throat secretions etc….

WHO CAN BE INFECTED?
All age groups. Persons at greater risk are those in areas of poor sanitation and health workers managing such cases.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?
The illness usually starts with fever, general weakness and malaise. Other signs and symptoms are headache, sore throat, pain behind the breast bone, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, abdominal pain and red spots. In severe cases, it may progress to swollen face, bleeding (from mouth, nose, and vagina), gastrointestinal tract and low blood pressure.

HOW CAN LASSA FEVER BE PREVENTED?

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