Lassa fever is a viral disease spread by rodents in West Africa. It’s a member of the viral hemorrhagic fever family, similar to Ebola.
Symptoms
Fever
Headache
Weakness and tiredness
Bleeding gums, nose, eyes, or elsewhere
Difficulty breathing
Vomiting and diarrhea, both with blood
Pain in the chest, back, and abdomen
Shock
Transmission
Transmission is done through contact with infected rats or their saliva, urine, or droppings.
Also, contact with items (food or household) contaminated with infected rodent urine or faeces is another means of transmission.
Person-to-person transmission after exposure to virus in the blood, tissue, secretions, or excretions of a Lassa virus-infected individual .
Risk factors
People living in rural areas of West Africa are at most risk
Pregnant women may experience miscarriage
Prevention
Lassa fever can be difficult to distinguish clinically from other viral hemorrhagic fevers, such as Ebola virus disease.
Treatment and management
Immediately refer suspected cases to treatment centres
Support contact tracing and follow-up of contacts
Provide psychosocial support to the sick person, their families and communities
Support safe and dignified funeral and burial practices for Lassa fever
Safe shelters and spaces
Promote secured spaces and prevent rodents from entering houses or accessing stored food and water (including pet or animal food)
Follow recommended environmental hygiene practices
Dispose of rubbish in rodent-proof containers to minimize possible nesting sites
Clean and disinfect areas where there is evidence of rodents
Follow kitchen hygiene practices (for example, clean floors and wash dishes and utensils immediately)
Sanitation and waste management
Encourage disinfection of homes and other spaces with evidence of rodents
Encourage disinfection of homes and other spaces where people have been sick or died from Lassa
Promote disinfection of reusable supplies
Solid waste management
Encourage the community to clear away rubbish and garbage
Encourage safe disposal of contaminated waste (by burning or burying)
Promote proper and safe disposal of dead rodents
Personal protection and hygiene
Promote handwashing in communities and in health centres with soap, chlorine solution or hand sanitizer
Practise and promote social distancing
Promote the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and disinfectants when cleaning up rodent droppings and nesting materials
Food hygiene and safety
Discourage rodents as a food source.
