Facts you should know about Lassa Fever and its Prevention as another case has been reported in Edo State, Nigeria.

Lassa fever has just killed a man who was said to be on a visit to Nigeria to attend his mother’s funeral at Ekpoma in Benin, Edo state, Nigeria. He was rushed to the hospital after complaining of stomach ache. The patient reportedly died three hours after a surgical operation was performed before he was diagnosed of having Lassa fever.

Here are facts you should know about Lassa fever and its prevention.

·         Lassa fever, just like Ebola is a severe viral hemorrhagic illness (associated with bleeding) of 1-4 weeks duration occurring mostly in West Africa.

·         It is transmitted to human beings through contact with food or household items already contaminated with the urine or poo of infected rodents specie called “multimammate rat”.

·         There are chances of survival if the patient is isolated and treated early.

·         Symptoms starts with fever, general body weakness, then later headache, sore throat, muscle pain, nausea, cough, abdominal and chest pain. In severe cases, facial swelling, bleeding from the mouth, nose and private parts may occur.

·         Lassa fever occurs in all age groups, male and female. People living in the rural areas are mostly affected (these are the people that grow the cassava, make the Garri we eat and grow other farm products we buy from the market).

Prevention and control

·         Keep your surroundings clean and maintain good hygiene to discourage rats from entering the house.

·         Store grains and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers.

·        Dispose garbage frequently and far away from home.

·         Watch out and avoid coming into contact with blood and body fluids of sick people (especially those coming from the rural areas).


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