Lassa Fever Outbreak In Nigeria
Six Important Things You Should Know About The Deadly Disease
1) CAUSE
Lassa Fever is caused by a virus called Lassa Virus. The virus belongs to a group of viruses which cause
hemorrhagic fevers such dengue fever, ebola fever, yellow fever etc. The virus is also characterised by bleeding disorders and can progress to shock and death in many cases.
2) HOW IT SPREADS
Rats: Lassa fever lives and multiplies in a particular type of rat called the Natal multimammate mouse which is found in sub-Saharan Africa.
The virus is contained in the urine and stool of rats. If the urine of the rats contaminates exposed food and humans the food, they can contract the disease. Breathing in the dried stool can also lead to being infected.
The virus spreads from person to person through direct contact with body fluids-saliva, nasal discharge, blood of infected persons etc.
3) THE SYMPTOMS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT
Lassa Fever