Following reported cases of outbreaks of Lassa fever in some parts of
the country, Lagos State Government has alerted the residents on the
need to take precautionary measures to avert the disease in the state.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris who disclosed
this to newsmen in Lagos at the weekend, also advised members of the
public to ensure and maintain adequate personal and environmental
hygiene at all times.
Idris counselled the residents to “avoid contact with rats; cover
your food and water properly; cook all your food thoroughly, as well as
block all rat hideouts and holes through which rats can enter the
house.”
The commissioner also stressed the importance of storing grains and
other dried food items in containers with covers, properly disposing of
refuse, maintaining adequate sanitation, as well as keeping pets like
cats in the house.
Idris explained that Lassa fever is an acute viral infection caused
by the Lassa virus that is associated with persistent high fever adding
that as the disease progresses into a severe form, the patient begin to
develop facial swelling, fluid in the chest, bleeding from the mouth,
nose, vagina and the gut, low blood pressure, shock, disorientation,
coma and kidney and liver failure.
According to him, other usual symptoms include general weakness, malaise headache, sore throat, nausea, diarrheal, and vomiting.
“Lassa fever is an acute viral infection caused by the Lassa virus
and associated with persistent high fever. It is spread by exposure to
and eating of foods contaminated with rat dropping or urine. It is also
spread by direct contact with the blood, urine, faces or other bodily
secretions of person with Lassa fever,” he added.
He urged members of the public to report the case of anybody with
the above symptoms or persistent high fever not responding to standard
treatment for malaria and typhoid fever to the nearest health facility
in the state.
The Commissioner noted that though Lagos State is not in the Lassa
fever belt region, a lot of people migrate to Lagos from different parts
of the country, including those living in Lassa fever prone belt
regions.
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