BE ALERT: Lassa Fever Re-emerges, Kebbi State Confirms 6 Cases, One Death

The deadly Lassa fever disease has re-emerged in the country, causing the death of one person from six cases and sparking fear in Kebbi State. The Kebbi State Government on Sunday confirmed this in the state.

Doctor Assad Hassan, Epidemiologist at the state Ministry of Health, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Birnin Kebbi, that the cases were recorded between February and April.

Dr Hassan told News Agency of Nigeria, NAN that four of the victims were from Birnin Kebbi; while the remaining two were from Bunza Local Government Area of the state. He said:

”The persons confirmed to be infected with the disease are between 23 to 65 years, and they include four males and two females.”

According to the Epidemiologist, one of the female patients was the one that died within hours of arrival at the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kebbi. He confirmed that the blood sample taken from the deceased tested positive to Lassa fever. He further disclosed:

”The medical doctor that attended to the deceased was also infected with the fever but has been treated and discharged from hospital.”

In addition, Hassan explained that the last confirmed case was on April 27, and refuted reports that two children had died last week as a result of the fever.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness of 2-21 days duration that occurs in West Africa. The Lassa virus is transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or faeces.

Signs and symptoms of Lassa Fever

This typically occur 1-3 weeks after the patient comes into contact with the virus. For the majority of Lassa fever virus infections (approximately 80%), symptoms are mild and are undiagnosed.

Mild symptoms include: slight fever, general malaise and weakness, and headache.

Severe symptoms include: hemorrhaging (in gums, eyes, or nose, as examples), respiratory distress, repeated vomiting, facial swelling, pain in the chest, back, and abdomen, and shock.

Neurological problems have also been described, including hearing loss, tremors, and encephalitis. Death may occur within two weeks after symptom onset due to multi-organ failure.

Prevention

1. Primary transmission of the Lassa virus from its host to humans can be prevented by avoiding contact with Mastomys rodents, especially in the geographic regions where outbreaks occur.

2. Putting food away in rodent-proof containers and keeping the home clean help to discourage rodents from entering homes.

3. Do not eat these rodents as food.

4. Setting traps in and around homes can help reduce rodent populations.

5. Educating people who live in high-risk areas, so be sure to share this.

6. Practise good personal hygiene. Wash hands with soap and water and use sanitisers.

7. Family members should always be careful to avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons.

8. Disposing of garbage far from the home as this attracts rats.

9. Maintaining a very clean household.

10. Avoiding contact with an infected person.