 |
| Lassa fever vector |
The scourge that ravaged the country in 2005 with multiple deaths is back with 44 cases confirmed between December 2016 and January 2017. Lassa fever has been reported in nine states of the federation: Plateau, Ebonyi, Taraba, Ogun, Ondo, Bauchi, Rivers and Edo with four out of the seven newly discovered cases.
Mrs. Elsie Ilori, a Director at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC revealed that based on evidence, Lassa fever is seasonal and could be endemic. According to her, the first case of Lassa fever was reported on December 19th 2016. Since then there have been a total of 44 confirmed cases of the fever.
Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic fever that is caused by Lassa virus. The symptoms are similar to those of malaria and include fever, weakness, headaches, muscle pains & vaunting. Human can contact the diseases when they come in contact with the vectors especially rats urine & feces in food mostly. It can also be transmitted from human to human. Only a proper laboratory test can detect the Lassa virus.
Please, do leave a comment
You can get across to us
through any of these channels:
Whatsapp: 0803 550 2253.
Call: 0802 344 1438