In the early hours of today, the Lagos state Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi announced the first recorded case of Lassa fever in Lagos, moving the number of infected states from 18 to 19. The infected patient is currently in isolation at Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
The commissioner has assured Lagosians not to panic as the State government is working actively with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, NCDC, in controlling the spread of the disease.
Also, the Ministry of Health through Epidemiology, Biosecurity and Global Health Directorate is carrying out ‘contact tracing.’ This will be done according to international standards to identify those who may have been infected.
Members of the public were advised to maintain adequate personal and environmental hygiene at all times. Tips such as avoiding contact with rats, covering food and water properly, cooking food thoroughly, blocking all holes in the septic tanks and holes through which rats can enter the house, as well as clearing rat hideouts within the premises.
In dealing with the issue, the government has made available Isolation wards to manage suspected and confirmed Lassa fever cases, increased sensitization activities in communities, positioned drugs, and other materials at designated facilities and ensuring health workers are alert and ready to act.
More so, the Lagos state public and private health workers have been advised to observe universal safety precautions and comply with infection prevention and control measures when dealing with patients, as the use of personal protective tools such as hand gloves, facemasks, goggles, and overalls must be worn when attending to patients.
Health workers were also advised to wash their hands often with soap and running water, cover mattresses with plastic sheets to avoid contamination and apply hand sanitizers after every contact with patients or contaminated materials.
However, while dealing with Lassa Fever, it is important to note that 80 percent of infected victims show no observable symptoms until at an advanced stage while 20 percent have several multi symptoms. Some of the symptoms of Lassa fever are very high fever, myalgia, nausea, vomiting, sore throat, abdominal and chest pains. Consequently, the illness may progress to any of these more serious symptoms such as haemorrhaging, tremors, encephalitis, neurological problems, and hearing loss.
According to research, there is no permanent cure for Lassa fever but ribavirin has been approved for use as a preventive therapy. Therefore, it is advisable that Lagosians maintain a healthy lifestyle, through personal and environmental sanitation to prevent this disease.
Citizens can report suspected cases of Lassa fever the nearest government-approved health facility, the Ministry of Health or call the emergency operation centre lines – 08023169485, 08033565529 and 08052817243.
By Faith Ikade.
