Health Workers Be Cautious

I recently shared a post containing Emergency contact Numbers regarding the Lassa Fever outbreak in Nigeria. These numbers are not just for the posting!

I just came across a headline saying "A female student nurse at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FETHI) Ido Ekiti, Ekiti State at the weekend tested positive for the dreaded Lassa Fever infection".
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UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY!

For those of us working in areas where the Lassa Fever is not endemic still need to be cautious!

If you suspect any signs and symptoms suggesting Lassa Fever please report to the necessary authority in your hospital or facility.

Below are the contact numbers:

#‎LassaFever‬ Emergency Contact Numbers:-
08093810105
08163215252
08031571667
08135050005

Lassa Fever: UPDATES

Lassa fever in Nigeria, has between late December 2015 and January 14, 2016 resulted in 53 deaths in 10 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).


Lassa fever outbreak is a yearly occurrence during the dry season in Nigeria.

This year’s outbreak is more widespread with 10 states, 140 suspected and 30 confirmed cases.

The case fatality rate (CFR), according to  WHO Regional Office, is significantly high at 53 or 37.9% of all cases.

The outbreak is so far affecting Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Oyo, Plateau states and the FCT.

Niger State is the most affected with 48 cases and 16 deaths.

Epidemiological link between the outbreaks of the different states has so far not been established.

Lassa Alert - Health Workers

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#‎LassaFever‬ Emergency Contact Numbers:-
08093810105
08163215252
08031571667
08135050005

Lassa Fever: Plateau State - one killed

Plateau State government has confirmed that Lassa fever has killed one.

Lassa fever has been noticed in five local governments; Jos North, Mangu, Langtang South, Pankshin and Shendam.

NOTE:
- The host of the virus is rat and it sheds it through its urine and faeces.

- Human beings can become infected by getting exposed to the urine and faeces of the carrier animal.

- Person to person transmission occurs in crowded communities. The disease spreads fast in crowded environments, especially under poor sanitary conditions.

- Health officers can be at risk if they don’t use barrier nursing and infection control practices.”

- Lassa fever can be difficult to distinguish from other viral haemorrhagic fevers, such as the Ebola virus.

- The symptoms are usually gradual, starting from fever to general body weakness and malaise. After a few days headache, sore throat, chest pain, muscle pain, nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cough follow.

- When it becomes severe, facial swelling, bleeding through mouth, nose, ear, anus and genitals occur.

#PreventLassaFever

STILL ON LASSA FEVER: Edo confirms six cases of Lassa fever

The Edo Government has confirmed six cases of Lassa fever in the state.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Aihanuwa Eregie,said the cases were confirmed at the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control, Irrua Specialist Hospital, Edo.

“Among the six cases, one is from Plateau while the remaining five cases are from Edo.

“Among the five cases from Edo, four are from Estako West local government area while the remaining case is from Uhumwonde area of the state,” she said.

Lassa fever is a haemorrhagic viral disease caused by Lassa virus which is transmitted from rats, of the family called Mastomys, to humans.

“The symptoms of the disease include severe illness with fever and at least one of the following signs: bloody stool, vomiting blood or unexplained bleeding from the gums, nose, vagina, skin or eyes.

Lassa Fever Update

Still on the Lassa Fever outbreak in some states in Nigeria, the Health Ministry has  Confirmed 35 Dead in 76 Cases  with a Case Fatality Rate of 46 per cent.

Healthcare workers seeing a patient suspected to have Lassa Fever should immediately contact the epidemiologist in the State Ministry of Health or call the Federal Ministry of Health using the following numbers: 08093810105,08163215251, 08031571667 and 08135050005."