LASSA FEVER- WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

INTRODUCTION Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever Caused by Lassa Virus First identified in Lassa town, Borno in 1969

Transmission Transmitted by the multimammate rat Mastomys natalensis Widely distributed throughout West, Central and East Africa Found in rural areas, homes/dwellings and also in forest areas Continually shed the virus in their urine, faeces Humans are infected by contact with infected rats, their excreta or eating them Medical personnel are more at risk

Mastomys Natalensis

5 Mode of Transmission (1): Animal to Human Direct contact with materials or objects contaminated with secretions and excretions of the rodent Eating food contaminated with secretions and excretions of the rodent Through cuts or sores in humans When man prepares the rodent for food Inhalation of contaminated tiny particles (Air borne transmission)

6 Mode of Transmission (2): Human to Human Occurs when a person comes in contact with the virus in the blood, tissue, secretions or excretions of an individual infected with the Lassa virus Several cases of transmission have occurred in hospitals Sexual transmission has been reported

7 Case Definition (1) At the Health Facility Any person with: 1. Severe febrile illness not responsive to the usual causes of fever in the area, 2. With or without sore throat, 3. And at least one of the following: Bloody stools, vomiting blood, bleeding into skin, unexplained bleeding from gums, nose, vagina, eyes.

8 Case Definition (2) In the Community Any person who has an unexplained illness with fever and bleeding or who died after an unexplained severe illness with fever and bleeding

Prevention and Control Health education and environmental control Rodent control and minimizing contact with rodent excreta Routine use of standard precautions Isolation of suspected cases Surveillance of contacts

Morbidity and Mortality 80% of cases do not have symptoms while 20% have severe symptoms Incubation period is 6-21 days Worse outcomes in pregnant women

TAKE HOME POINTS: SIMPLE FREQUENT HANDWASHING STILL PREVENTS MANY INFECTIONS DO NOT EXPOSE FOOD

TAKE HOME POINTS: DO NOT BUY EXPOSED FOOD THAT WILL NOT BE COOKED. AVOID SOAKING GARI FOR NOW, ESPECIALLY THE LOCAL CHEAP TYPE DO NOT EAT FOOD PARTLY EATEN BY RATS

TAKE HOME POINTS SIMPLE FREQUENT HANDWASHING STILL PREVENTS MANY INFECTIONS DO NOT EXPOSE FOOD DO NOT BUY EXPOSED FOOD THAT WILL NOT BE COOKED. AVOID SOAKING GARI FOR NOW, ESPECIALLY THE LOCAL CHEAP TYPE DO NOT EAT FOOD PARTLY EATEN BY RATS DO NOT ALLOW RATS TO DWELL WITH YOU WASH FRUITS THOROUGHLY WITH SALT WATER OR VINEGAR DO NOT HANDLE SECRETIONS OF SICK FRIENDS (VOMIT ETC)- EXCEPT YOU ARE A DOCTOR OR NURSE AND WITH GLOVED HANDS

FINALLY: DO NOT SPREAD UNSUBSTANTIATED INFORMATION DESIGNED TO PROVOKE FEAR

FINALLY: FEAR NOT!

FINALLY: FEAR IS NOT PART OF THE PREVENTION OF LASSA FEVER OR OF ANY DISEASE