LASSA FEVER: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, Diagnosis And Treatment.
Written by, Olayemi Joel
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness which predominantly occurs in the Western part of Africa. The countries under this region include; Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Togo, Mali, etc. The first time it surfaced in west Africa was reportedly In Nigeria; as far back as the year 1965 thereabout. But the fever came into full pledge about a decade ago.
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness which predominantly occurs in the Western part of Africa. The countries under this region include; Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Togo, Mali, etc. The first time it surfaced in west Africa was reportedly In Nigeria; as far back as the year 1965 thereabout. But the fever came into full pledge about a decade ago.
Earlier in 2016, the outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria was reported by CNN to have caused an astonishing increase in mortality rate than normal. It was no joke that people began to kill rats all around; as it’s simply because gifting the outbreak of this disease is endemic.
A recent health care report claims that about 20% of hospitalized patients suffering from Lassa fever will die. Mortality rate of the disease can shoot-up to about 50% in endemic situations, according to the same report.
A recent health care report claims that about 20% of hospitalized patients suffering from Lassa fever will die. Mortality rate of the disease can shoot-up to about 50% in endemic situations, according to the same report.
The virus causing this terrifying illness is known as the Lassa virus. According to WHO, “the multimammate rat” is known to be the HOST for this disease. Don’t bother looking for that type of rat anyways, but just know that every potential rats and rodents around your house are big threats to your health as they are possibly harboring the dreadful Lassa virus.
When these kind of infected rats drop urine or faeces on household items such as foods, drinks, fruits, etc; then these items are able to also transmit the deadly virus into the body system of whoever tries to take them into the mouth.
That is why Lassa fever is biologically called ‘zoonotic’ – because it has the viability to get transmitted from the body of infected animals into the body systems of humans. Also, transmission from person to person is allowed. This includes the use of equipment that an infected individual has used, as well as having sexual intercourse with an infected person.
When these kind of infected rats drop urine or faeces on household items such as foods, drinks, fruits, etc; then these items are able to also transmit the deadly virus into the body system of whoever tries to take them into the mouth.
That is why Lassa fever is biologically called ‘zoonotic’ – because it has the viability to get transmitted from the body of infected animals into the body systems of humans. Also, transmission from person to person is allowed. This includes the use of equipment that an infected individual has used, as well as having sexual intercourse with an infected person.
One of the most challenging aspects of Lassa fever is that it’s difficult to get detected at early stage due to unsymmetrical pattern of the disease manifestation.
The duration of its occurrence stands at 2-21 days, according to the World Health Organization: meaning that a person infested by the Lassa virus does not have all the time in this world, if proper care and attention is not given to such a person.
In fact, the best thing to do after discovering a person with the virus is to isolate such person. This helps to control the spread.
The duration of its occurrence stands at 2-21 days, according to the World Health Organization: meaning that a person infested by the Lassa virus does not have all the time in this world, if proper care and attention is not given to such a person.
In fact, the best thing to do after discovering a person with the virus is to isolate such person. This helps to control the spread.
Symptoms:
The manifestation of Lassa fever starts from a symptomatic early stage before transcending to a dreadful end which could lead to death. Infected people experience the following at different stages:
Early stage:
Nausea,
Vomiting,
Muscular pain,
Headache,
Abdominal pain,
Constipations,
Difficulty in swallowing,
also known as “Dysphagia”.
Late stage:
Diarrhea associated with blood,
Hypertension,
Excessive Cough associated with severe chest pain,
Abnormal increase in heart rate,
Bleeding from outlets such as Nose, Eyes, Mouth, Vagina, Anus.
Extreme Stage:
Seizure,
Coma,
Death.
DIAGNOSIS:
The disease is a rarely difficult one to diagnose. An ELISA test known as the Antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is used in the lab to test for the availability of the virus in the body system.
The message is clear and simple: Clear all factors that contribute to the existence of rodents in your vicinity.
Keeping the proper hygiene would suffice as rodents will be unable to live around your house. Clear bushes, debris, abandoned cans, etc.
In the case of areas with the heavy presence of rodents, rearing of Dogs and Cats might do the magic for you. Also, physical traps can be used to kill rodents in order to control their growth and development.
Keeping the proper hygiene would suffice as rodents will be unable to live around your house. Clear bushes, debris, abandoned cans, etc.
In the case of areas with the heavy presence of rodents, rearing of Dogs and Cats might do the magic for you. Also, physical traps can be used to kill rodents in order to control their growth and development.
Dwelling with anyone diagnosed of Lassa fever is one of the most dangerous risk you are taking. Be sure to watch your ways around anyone confirmed to have the virus; try all your possible best to avoid having body contact especially via fluids or blood from the infected persons because the virus might drift into your body unnoticed and then it becomes a ‘sorry’ case. Be sure to avoid such.
TREATMENT:
Ribavirin has been implicated in the treatment of Lassa fever. In case you noticed anyone with the up-listed symptoms above resembling the deadly fever, do well to immediately call on the attention of qualified medical practitioners for proper examination.
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