Efio-Ita Nyok|19 January 2016|7:59am
The Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyang Asibong is presently on an official tour with Public Health Response Team in view of taking Lassa Fever sensitization tour to designated public health institutions in the state.
Yesterday, 18 January 2016 the Honourable Commissioner's itinerary took her to General Hospital, Mary Slessor, Calabar where she addressed a cross section of the management and staff of the health institution. Present was Dr Ayi Etim, MD general Hospital Calabar,Dr Sonny Omini, Director of Public Health, Mrs Patience Uke State Epidemiologist also sensitised the audience. Also present were directors and stake holders in the state Ministry of Health.
In her address, Commissioner Asibong reminded the health professionals of the trending research information surrounding Lassa fever. Below is a synopsis of what the Commissioner said:
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT LASSA FEVER
Lassa fever was first discovered in 1969 in the town of lassa in Borno state, Nigeria where two missionary Nurses died of the disease.
*Lassa fever or lassa hemorrhagic (LIH) is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever transmitted from poisonous rodents (rats) to humans.
*Lassa fever is a member of the Arena Viridae virus family, similar to ebola.
*Humans become infected with lassa fever from exposure to urine or faeces of infected mastomys rats. It can also be spread between humans through direct contact with the blood, urine, faces or other bodily secretions of a person infected with lassa fever. The incubation period of lassa fever ranges from 6-21days.
*Signs and symptoms include high fever, vomiting, back pain, and bleeding from the nose, ear, eye.
*In 80% of cases, the disease is asymptomatic but in the remaining 20%, it takes a complicated course.
*Lassa fever is difficult to distinguish from other viral hemorrhagic fever such as ebola virus disease and many diseases, that present with the same symptoms thereby leading to incorrect diagnosis.
Prevention & Control of Lassa Fever includes
-promoting good community hygiene to discourage rodents.
-storing grains and other food stuffs in rodent proof containers.
-Always be careful to avoid contact with blood and bodily while caring for sick persons.
*Adhering ering to Universal precautions when caring for patients with suspected or confirmed Lassa fever.
*Careful segregation of biologically hazardous waste.
*Health workers seeing a patient suspected to have lassa fever should immediately contact local and national experts for advice and to arrange for a laboratory testing.
Treatment
– Early and aggressive treatment using Ribavirin as recommended.
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Writer, Blogger & the Editor of Negroid Haven
