LASSA IN LUTH ---> THE FACTS!

Two deaths from Lassa fever have been recorded at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) alright.

The first was a pregnant lady who presented at the emergency with excessive vaginal bleeding. The second was a guy who also presented with bleeding though per rectum.
They both presented in already late stages of the disease.

One resident doctor who was involved in the autopsy of the one of the Lassa fever death cases has been confirmed to also have the disease and is currently being managed at the isolation centre in LUTH.

About 50-100 health workers (doctors and nurses inclusive) who had some contact with the dead patients are currently under surveillance.

Lassa fever is one of the Viral Haemorrhagic fevers ( others being Ebola, Yellow fever,etc ). It is spread via intake of food or water contaminated with the urine or faeces of infected rodents, particularly rats ( of the genus mastomys). It can also be spread when in contact with the body fluids (blood, urine, saliva, semen) of an infected person.

Incubation period of the virus in humans ranges between 6-21days before symptoms begin to show. These symptoms range from fever, headaches to generalized body weakness to diarrhoea and abdominal pains to even bleeding from the nose, mouth, vagina. Coma and seizures are seen in the later stages and of course, death in about 15% of hospitalized cases.

Ribavarin is the most effective medication for now shown to have some effect especially at earlier stages of the disease, of course combined with adequate supportive care (rehydration and symptomatic treatment).

Lassa fever currently has no vaccine and as mortality rates are very high, prevention is indeed better than cure! These are some preventive steps that can help:

• Hand washing cannot be overemphasized here, especially just before you put any food into your mouth and just entering your home. Most hand sanitizers only work for bacterial infections and as such are ineffective against the virus. Sadly there is currently just one place in the whole adult emergency area of LUTH where there's actually a running tap and soap available for this. Sigh
• Store grain and other foodstuffs in airtight rodent-proof containers.
• Dispose garbage far from your home.
• Health workers are to employ universal precautions in dealing with all patients they come in contact with.
• Safe burial practices especially for deceased victims.
• Contact the closest health expert when you suspect any case. Theses are the numbers you can also call for the response team in LUTH---> 08058019466, 08058744780, 07035521015 and 08023299445.

While the government and international health experts such as the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and the WHO also help in curbing the disease, please, be vigilant.

God help us!