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As of two April, Nigeria has recorded a major improve in Lassa fever infections and fatalities.
The virus, which has affected about 20 well being staff, has killed 148 individuals between January and April, elevating considerations in regards to the present scenario of the illness in Nigeria.
In response to the Nigeria Centre for Illness Management (NCDC), from week 1 to week 13, 846 confirmed infections and 148 deaths had been reported with a case fatality fee (CFR) of 17.5 per cent.
Nonetheless, the CFR is alleged to be decrease than what was recorded for a similar interval in 2022 which was 19.1 per cent.
NCDC stated in complete for 2023, “25 states have recorded at the least one confirmed case throughout 99 Native Authorities Areas”, of which 72 per cent of all confirmed circumstances had been reported from Ondo, Edo and Bauchi states.
Of the 72 per cent recorded, NCDC famous that Ondo State accounted for 32 per cent, whereas Edo and Bauchi states reported 29 and 11 per cent, respectively.
In response to the World Well being Organisation (WHO), the annual peak of Lassa fever circumstances is often noticed in the course of the dry season (December–April), including that the variety of infections is predicted to rise additional till the top of the dry season.
Not like COVID-19, the Lassa fever consciousness fee has been low, because it silently claims lives and impacts well being staff.
PREMIUM TIMES on this report, due to this fact, seeks to sensitise the general public to what the signs are, how it’s transmitted, and the way Nigerians can keep protected.
About Lassa fever
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever that’s primarily transmitted to people through contact with meals or home items contaminated with urine or faeces from Mastomys rats.
Mastomys rat, generally often called “multimammate rat” is the pure reservoir or host of the virus. Though, different rodents have additionally been recognized to hold the virus.
Aside from Nigeria, the illness can also be stated to be endemic in different elements of West Africa together with Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea.
The primary documented case within the nation is reported to have occurred in 1969 and the virus was named after the city of Lassa, Borno State in Nigeria.
Signs
In response to the NCDC, Lassa fever presents initially like some other sickness reminiscent of malaria.
Its signs embrace fever, headache, sore throat, basic physique weak point, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle pains, chest ache, and in extreme circumstances, unexplainable bleeding from ears, eyes, nostril, mouth and different physique openings.
The CDC defined on its web site that the time between an infection and the looks of signs of the illness is three to 21 days.
Individuals most in danger
The illness management centre has defined that folks of all age teams who are available in contact with the urine, faeces, saliva or blood of rats are largely vulnerable to Lassa fever.
It added particularly that folks residing in rat-infested environments, consuming probably contaminated foodstuff or processing rodents for consumption have increased probabilities of coming in touch with the infectious illness.
NCDC additionally famous that medical doctors, nurses and different hospital employees with out applicable precautions even have increased probabilities of contracting the virus.
Prevention
To cut back the danger of Lassa fever, the NCDC provides the next pointers:
•Making certain correct environmental sanitation by maintaining environments clear always.
•Masking dustbins and disposing of refuse correctly: NCDC suggested that communities ought to arrange dump websites very removed from their properties to scale back the probabilities of having rodents inside properties.
•Storing foodstuff reminiscent of rice, garri, beans, corn/maize, amongst others, in containers that are properly coated with tight-fitting lids.
*Avoiding drying meals stuff exterior on the ground, or roadside the place will probably be uncovered to contamination is vital.
*Eliminating rats in properties and communities by setting rat traps and different means.
*Training good private hygiene by ceaselessly washing palms with cleaning soap beneath working water /or use of hand sanitisers when applicable.
*Visiting nearest well being services after noticing any of the indicators and signs of Lassa fever as listed above, and avoiding self-medication.
*Healthcare staff are additionally suggested to apply normal precautions always: reminiscent of carrying of gloves whereas dealing with sufferers or offering care to an sick affected person/relative.
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