As the Covid-19 pandemic continues its impact, the Lassa fever outbreak has started to spread. The Lassa fever outbreak is an acute viral disease of rodent origin. It is transmitted to individuals through contact with food and objects contaminated with rodent urine or feces. The first case was seen in the Lassa region of Nigeria. However, according to research, the first case in the world occurred in 1969. Lassa fever outbreaks are rare in the West African countries of Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Benin, Liberia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Togo and Nigeria, but it is thought to be present in other West African countries.
The Lassa fever outbreak was recognized in 1969 when two health workers died in the Lassa region of Nigeria. Diagnosis of Lassa fever outbreak is very important for early treatment. According to data published by the World Health Organization (WHO), 80% of individuals who face this outbreak do not experience any symptoms. In addition, the virus causes negative damage to various organs such as the liver, spleen and kidneys in one out of every five infections.
What are the symptoms of Lassa fever outbreak?
The Lassa fever outbreak generally presents with non-intense symptoms such as fever and headache. However, in some individuals, it occurs with serious symptoms such as bleeding and difficulty breathing. Other symptoms of the disease are as follows;
- Low fever
- Fatigue
- Headache
Serious symptoms of Lassa fever outbreak
- Bleeding gums, eyes, nose
- Breathing difficulties
- Intense vomiting
- Swelling in the face area
- Pain in the chest, back and abdomen
How is an outbreak of Lassa fever diagnosed?
Lassa fever outbreak is diagnosed with a swab to be taken from the individual in the late period. The blood test to be taken from the person also shows a very important way in diagnosing the disease.
How is Lassa Fever Treated?
An antiviral drug is not given to the person at the point of application of the treatment of this disease. There is no evidence to support the role of ribavirin as a prophylactic treatment for people with Lassa fever outbreaks. There is not yet a vaccine to eradicate this outbreak, research is ongoing.
Who is at risk of Lassa fever?
People visiting countries in West Africa are more at risk of contracting the disease than people living outside the continent. If visiting these countries, the risk of infection can be reduced by taking the following safety precautions into account;
- Keep food in containers inaccessible to rodents
- Care should be taken to ensure that the place to live is clean.
- Avoid contact with rodents
How to prevent an outbreak of Lassa fever?
Prevention of Lassa fever outbreaks depends on maintaining good "community sanitation" to prevent rodents from entering homes. Effective measures include keeping cereals and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage in a remote area of the house, keeping the house clean and feeding cats. Family members should pay attention to hygiene rules when caring for sick people. They should always follow standard infection prevention and control measures when caring for people who are ill. These include basic hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene and the use of personal protective equipment.
Healthcare workers providing care to patients with a suspected or diagnosed outbreak of Lassa fever should implement infection control measures to avoid contact with the blood and body fluids of the sick person or with items such as clothing and bedding. People working in laboratories are also at risk. Laboratory workers should also take precautions. In rare cases, due to the ecological conditions of Lassa fever, only people living in a certain region export the disease to other countries. Although malaria, typhoid fever and many tropical viruses are more widespread, a diagnosis of Lassa fever outbreak should be considered in people with high fever returning from West Africa, especially if they have been exposed in health facilities or rural areas in countries with known outbreaks of Lassa fever.