Lassa Fever - Toll free numbers to call.

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There is an outbreak currently ongoing in Nigeria. 

There are confirmed cases in Ondo, Asaba, Enugu, Ebonyi, Abia, Edo, Plateau, Bauchi, Kano and Taraba states. 

There have been *82* confirmed cases and *14* deaths so far across Nigeria from Lassa fever. 

It is a VITAL HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER caused by the LASSA VIRUS which is naturally found in rodents especially RATS

*HAEMORRHAGIC FEVER MEANS THAT IT CAUSES BLEEDING FROM ALMOST ALL PARTS OF THE BODY: EARS, EYES, NOSE, MOUTH, VAGINA, ANUS AND FINALLY DEATH* 

More cases are recorded during the dry season i.e. November through May.

Lassa fever is spread through: ‬
 Direct contact with urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected rodents.‬

 Ingesting food and drinks contaminated with the above.‬

 Contact with objects or surfaces contaminated with urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected rats.

*PERSON TO PERSON* transmission can also occur through contact with blood, urine, faeces, vomitus and other body fluids of an infected person.‬

*SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF LASSA FEVER*

The early stages of Lassa fever present initially like other febrile illness such as malaria.  

Symptoms of the disease generally include *fever, headache, sore throat, general body weakness, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pains, chest pain, swollen face and in severe cases; unexplainable bleeding from ears, eyes, nose, mouth, vagina, anus and other body orifices*

The incubation period (time between an infection and appearance of symptoms of the disease) is 3 to 21 days. Early diagnosis and treatment increase the chances of survival.‬

*Here are few prevention tips:*
 Ensure proper sanitation – i.e. keep your environment clean at all times, block all holes in your house to prevent entry of rats‬

 ‪• Cover your dustbins and dispose refuse properly. Communities should setup dump sites very far from their homes to reduce contact with rodents.

 Store foodstuffs in containers which are well covered with tight fitting lids‬.

 Avoid eating foods and fruits that have been eaten by rats. 

 Avoid drying foodstuff outside on the floor, roadside where it will be exposed to contamination‬

 Avoid bush burning which can lead to displacement of rats from bushes to human dwellings

 Eliminate rats in homes, set rat traps. *NEVER HANDLE RATS WITH BARE HANDS, DEAD OR ALIVE.*

 ‪• Practice good personal hygiene by frequent washing hands with soap under running water/or use of hand sanitizers when appropriate‬.

 ‪• Visit the nearest health facility if you notice any of the signs and symptoms above.

 Healthcare workers are advised to practice standard precautions at all times: i.e. wearing gloves while handling patients or providing care to an ill patient/relative.‬

 ‪• Healthcare workers should maintain a high index of suspicion for Lassa fever.

Any febrile illness that has not responded to 48 hours use of anti-malaria or antibiotics is suspicious.‬

‪Please if your healthcare worker suspects Lassa fever let him or her contact your local government disease surveillance and notification officer to access care in Nigeria.

‪NCDC Toll-Free Number: 0800-970000-10‬
SMS: 08099555577‬
WhatsApp: 07087110839

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