CURRENT LASSA OUTBREAK IS MOST WIDESPREAD AND INTENSE IN WEST AFRICA
Lassa fever is endemic to West Africa. Confirmed
incidences have been recorded in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Nigeria and
Mali. However, concerns exist that there may be Lassa(-like) viruses in other
countries such as Central African Republic, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Togo, Benin and
Cameroon due to trans-border migration.
LASSA FEVER IS DIFFERENT FROM EBOLA
Lassa fever is different from Ebola, the disease
that is responsible for the current outbreak in West Africa. Although Lassa
fever and Ebola can result in similar symptoms, Lassa fever is less likely than
Ebola to spread from person to person and is far less deadly. The death rate
from Lassa fever is approximately 1% versus approximately 70% from Ebola. While
both diseases are viral hemorrhagic fevers, bleeding and severe symptoms are
not common in cases of Lassa fever. It is caused by a species of rodents called
the Natal multi-mammate rat, the common African rat, or the African soft-furred
rat.
LASSA FEVER TRANSMISSION
Is transmitted when the rat droppings -natural
reservoir for the virus- comes in contact with foodstuffs or in the process of
the rat accessing grain stores, either in silos or in residences. Secondary
transmission of the virus between occurs through direct contact with infected
blood or bodily secretions. Nosocomial transmission, occurs as a result of
treatment in a hospital and outbreaks in health care facilities in endemic
areas.
LASSA IS OFTEN FATAL
Lassa fever is often misdiagnosed as common cold,
typhoid or malaria, and as a result many patients fail to receive appropriate
medical treatment. Making correct diagnosis of Lassa fever is made difficult
because it mimics other febrile illness. In 80% of cases, the disease is
without symptoms but in the remaining 20%, it takes a complicated course. It
has incubation period of 6-21 days after which an acute illness with
multi-organ involvement develops.
EARLY SIGNS OF LASSA
Lassa hemorrhagic fever early signs include fever,
headache and general body weakness, followed by a Sore throat, Nausea,
Vomiting, Abdominal pain and Diarrhea, Stomach ache, Constipation, Dysphagia
(swallowing difficulty), Hepatitis, Cardio-vascular system, Pericarditis,
Hypertension, Hypotension.etc
LASSA IS A RISK TO THE MULTIORGAN OF PATIENTS
In the respiratory tract, the victim experiences
Chest pains, Cough, and difficulty in breathing. Non-specific symptoms are
facial swelling, and muscle fatigue, as well as conjunctivitis and mucosal
bleeding. And hallmark of Lassa virus infection is the absence of functional
antibodies during acute infection.
CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS OF LASSA FEVER INFECTIONS
Lassa fever infections is difficult to distinguish
from other viral hemorrhagic fevers such as Ebola and from more common febrile
illness such as malaria. But Lassa fever is most often diagnosed by using
enzyme-linked immunosorbent serologic assays otherwise known as ELISA, which
detect IgM and IgG antibodies as well as Lassa antigen. Reverse
transcription-PCR(RT-PCR) is routinely used for confirmation of cases.
PREVENTATIVE PRECAUTIONS AGAINST LASSA FEVER
Are limited to keeping rodents out of homes and food
supplies, as well as maintaining effective personal hygiene. All persons suspected
of infection or that have come in contact with sufferers should be admitted to
isolation facilities (barrier nursing) and their body fluids and excreta
properly disposed.
VACCINES TO PREVENT LASSA ARE IN DEVELOPMENT
No vaccine for Lassa fever is currently available
for use in humans.
LASSA MEDICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE
Initiation of
treatment is with the only available drug, Ribavirin. The former is only
effective if administered early, within the first 6days after disease onset.
Early treatment is important
