Lassa FeverA Guideline for Preventive Measures

Lassa fever is an acute viral illness that occurs in West Africa.

The illness was first discovered in 1969 when two missionary nurses died at Lassa, a town in northeastern Nigeria.

The virus is named after

the town in Nigeria where the first cases occurred.

Brief History

Lassa fever is caused by infection with the Lassa virus. The virus is spread by rats that are found in large numbers in West Africa.

Lassa fever is transmitted through:

◦ Contact with or inhalation of air contaminated with the urine or droppings of an infected rat;

◦ Catching and preparing infected rats as food;

◦ Direct contact with a sick person’s blood or body fluids.

Transmission

The Lassa Carrier

Mastomys natalensisLassa fever host

Mode of Transmission

Rat droppings and urine in household areas

Mode of Transmission

Description of rat-to-human interactions

Symptoms of Lassa fever manifest within 1 to 3 weeks after a person is infected.

Most people who are infected have mild symptoms. These symptoms may not be diagnosed early. The symptoms are:o Slight fever, weakness and headache;

o More severe symptoms include bleeding, vomiting, facial swelling, pain in the chest, back, abdomen and shock.

People with Lassa fever are not contagious before these symptoms manifest. You cannot contact Lassa fever through casual contact – hugging, shaking or sitting beside an infected person.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and SymptomsHeadache, back pain and

weakness

Facial swelling

People living in unhygienic environments, which attract rats (rodents), are at great risk of contacting the Lassa virus.

You may also contact the Lassa virus in public places or at work – when an infected person sneezes (the virus is airborne), or by using unhygienic public toilets.

Risk of Exposure

Risk of ExposureUnhygienic home environment

Dirty public toilets

The following steps can be taken to help prevent infection and the transmission of Lassa fever:

• Listen to and follow directives issued by the Federal Ministry of Health on radio, TV, newspapers and other media;

• If you suspect someone close to you or in your community of having symptoms of Lassa fever, encourage and support them in seeking appropriate medical treatment in a healthcare facility;

Preventive and Control Measures

The following steps can be taken to help prevent infection and the transmission of Lassa fever:

• You can also call the following Federal Ministry of Health numbers to report suspicious cases –

0809-381-0105 0816-321-5251 0803-157-1667 0813-505-0005

• For detailed information on the Lassa virus, please go to http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/lassa/ ;

Preventive and Control Measures cont’d

Additionally, please observe the following measures:

• Improve personal hygiene – wash hands regularly;• Avoid contact with rats;• Keep your home, office and environment clean;• Cover all foods and water properly;• Cook all foods thoroughly;• Store foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers;• Block all rat hideouts;• If you suspect a rat has eaten or touched any food, discard all of it;• Family members should always be careful to avoid contact with

blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons;• Dispose refuse far from homes and offices.

Preventive and Control Measures cont’d

Preventive and Control Measures cont’d

PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ALONG AND EDUCATE EVERYONE

AROUND YOU!