WELLNESS
NEWSLETTER
GGGG
Lassa fever!
There has been reported increase in cases of Lassa
fever, the Nigeria Center for Disease and Control
(NCDC) has declared an outbreak and activated
Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).
AA
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic infection causes
by Lassa virus. Infection occurs when there is
exposure to food that has been contaminated with the
faeces and urine of rodents.
It can also be spread between humans when there is
direct contact with the blood, urine and other bodily
secretions of a person infected with Lassa fever.
Risk Factors
 People living in rodent infested areas
 Communities with poor sanitation
 Overcrowded homes
THT Call Centre
Telephone: 01-4482105
/07080687600
Email: thtcallcenter@totalhealthtrust.com
Signs & Symptoms
Incubation period is 6-21 days, the onset I gradual
starting with;
 Fever, weakness
 Headache, sore throat
 Muscle pain, chest pain
 In severe cases, facial swelling, fluid in the
lung cavity
 Bleeding from nose, mouth, vagina and
gastrointestinal tract
 Shock, seizure, tremors, disorientation and
coma may occur at later stages
Treatment
Lassa fever is treated with antiviral drugs
NOTE; There is currently no vaccine that protects
against Lassa fever
Prevention
 Practice good personal hygiene and
frequent hand washing
 Store grains and food stuffs in rodent roof
containers
 Refuse bin should be kept far away from the
home
 Avoid bush burning to prevent rodents from
looking for place of abode
Source:
https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/01/dont-
panic-over-lassa-fever-centre-urges-nigerians/
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/lassa-
fever/en/