Is Lassa fever in Lagos?
On Wednesday, Prof. Akin Abayomi, the Lagos Commissioner for Health, spoke to Punch Health Wise at Alausa, revealing that Lagos state has put 63 persons under surveillance.
The 63 persons under surveillance came in contact with the state’s index case of Lassa fever.
Lagos state puts 63 persons under surveillance for Lassa fever
This move comes after the index haemorrhagic fever patient went into isolation at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba.
Speaking to journalists, Abayomi said, “We have identified 63 of the persons he (the index haemorrhagic fever patient) may have been in contact with since his arrival from Ebonyi State into Lagos, Lagos Law School, the Nigeria Air Force Clinic and LUTH.
“They are being monitored. If they develop any symptom of Lassa fever, we will pick them up early and isolate them so that we can break the cycle of transmission,” the commissioner said.
Speaking further, the commissioner explained how they identified the index case. The young man came into Lagos for law school from Ebonyi state. When he started feeling feverish, he received treatment at the school's clinic for Malaria.
However, he wasn't responding to treatment and was moved from the clinic to the Nigerian Air Force clinic. After being managed for some time there, he was then transferred to LUTH.
He was confirmed positive to Lassa Fever on February 17, 2020, and transferred to the Isolation containment facility in LUTH
Lassa fever has spread to 26 states in the country so far, with 472 cases resulting in 72 deaths. Abayomi moved to assure the residents of Lagos state that there was no cause for panic.
“We hope that with our proactive approach, we will stop the spread from person to person and limit this index case as tightly as possible,” he concluded.
How can I prevent Lassa fever?
Found in West African countries such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Nigeria, Lassa fever is a viral infection that spreads by an animal host known as the multimammate rat. Humans contract this viral infection either through inhalation or digestion of virus particles in rat urine.
Community hygiene is the main focus of prevention when it comes to Lassa fever. The goal is to control the rat population. And stop them from infecting humans. Preventive measures include:
- Following strict hygiene practices such as regular hand washing.
- Storing foods in rodent-proof containers
- Keeping garbage away from the home
- Keeping pet cats
- Avoiding blood and other bodily fluids when caring for sick relatives
- Following safe burial procedures
- Using protective equipment in a healthcare setting, including masks and eyewear
It is almost impossible to wipe out the rats that are capable of spreading the infection because they are widespread. The aim should be to avoid them as much as possible and to chase them out of homes.
Also read: What Are The Symptoms of Lassa Fever ?
Source: Medical News Today, Punch NG
