Health officials have warned of an outbreak of Lassa fever in Nigeria.
On Monday, Nigerian health officials warned of an outbreak of Lassa fever as cases were reported in Africa. Health officials advised the public to avoid eating rats, the only cause of Lassa fever.
The Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) also activated a multi-sectoral Emergency Operations Center (EOC) with experienced medical professionals to deal with the ongoing health threat. Medicines and supplies are also delivered to Lassa fighters.
Additionally, NCDC experts and concerned authorities assessed the risk of Lassa fever. The drastic results came as the number of cases and deaths increased as the rate of transmission of the virus increased, unlike last year.
Reports have confirmed 244 cases of Lassa with a mortality rate of 15.1% from sixteen states. Including Ondo, Taraba, Benue, Ebonyi, Nasarawa, Kogi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Oyo, Bauchi, Adamawa, Enugu, Imo. , Plateau and FCT included.
In the wake of increasing health threats, NCDC also created an infection prevention policy and diagnostic laboratories.
It is worth noting here that Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) which is mainly cause by infect rodents or their feces, blood, saliva etc.
Fever can also be transmitter to a healthy person through the saliva, blood, or secretions of an infected person. With symptoms including head and body aches, general weakness, cough, nausea, digestive problems, ENT problems, and fever. Prompt consultation with a doctor can limit the spread of the disease and the resulting complications.
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