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LASSA FEVER OUTBREAK: A GLOBAL FEVER AND SHIVERS_

Sct. Chukwudi Obinna 
Sct. Chukwudi, Obinna


It is no longer news that Lassa fever has made several headlines on our various news media, blogs and timelines; specifically notable for its devastating and annihilating health risks and complications in her victims.
 Recall, that the last outbreak was on 2 0th December 2016, when the NCDC, confirmed a case of Lassa fever in a healthcare worker who had died at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.
By January 2017,eight States were still reporting increased Lassa fever cases, and deaths after follow up of contacts for the maximum 21-day incubation period.
Currently, at LUTH 3 positive cases have been reported with about 150 persons exposed, still under surveillance to halt its proliferation. While the various authorities concerned are tenaciously working behind the scenes to ensure the total halt of its spread; it is however, pertinent for the general public to be on a red alert as the virus spreads and proliferates like wild fire. These consistent, recurrent outbreaks highlight the risk Lassa fever continues to pose to the lives of Nigerians, not just around the Harmattan period, but throughout the year. Consequently, there is a need for the government at all levels to further strengthen her public health surveillance systems to ensure adequate monitoring of any suspected case, while engaging in awareness campaigns through various media links to help sensitize, educate and enlighten the general populace on the various preventive measures against Lassa fever virus.

Signs & Symptoms range from general muscle pain to body weakness, frequent and uncontrollable diarrhoea, bleeding from body orifices such as the nose, vomiting and pyrexia. Interestingly, while diagnosis based on signs and symptoms is difficult, the best bet for confirmation is by laboratory testing to detect the virus' RNA , antibodies to the virus, or the virus itself in cell culture. Therefore, care should be taken when handling suspected specimens due to its tendency to kill rapidly.
 It is at this junction that people need to be properly advised on the various preventive, treatment and control measures as well as approaches that will be invaluable to the eradication of the Lassa fever virus. Some of these may include:
 i. Maintenance of adequate and proper personal and environmental hygiene
 ii. Extermination of rodents and hideouts
 iii. Total quarantine and monitoring of our IDP camps and other institutionalized areas like schools and prisons as spread is prevalent in overcrowded areas
 iv. Avoiding contacts with fluids from rodents and foods that are exposed to the activities of rats etc.
 Let it be known to all and sundry that _Lassa fever_ is a major public health challenge that has persistently rocked our health sector on various occasions and it is our collective responsibility to rise up to the task of combating it to a stand still! Hence, we must show great carefulness to protect ourselves from actions that may predispose us to this virus.
 Let's stay safe, let's say no to Lassa fever.
_Sct.Chukwudi, Obinna
_YMLSF Publicity Secretary


LASSA DIVA

Lassa diva
A global tigger
Sweeping like rive
A deadly cleaver.

A haemorrhagic virus
A dangerous traitor
From Arena Viridae sector
And rodent as vector.

Africa the real trace
Nigeria on daily chase
Putting toes on a race
Cutting across all race.

Currently at LUTH
On a mission to loot
Three dead on the row
More lives on death row.

Symptoms of bleeding
With pains and vomiting
Deafness and weakness
And general loss of fitness.

Contact with body fluids
Contaminated with this dude
A highway to spread
A pathway to dread.

Quarantine and surveillance
 Extermination of rodents
Are public health measures
Against Lassa diva oppression.

Extra alert
Against Lassa attack
As no vaccine to avert
Its infection apart.

Great AMLSN and MLS
The great duty calls
We must stand up tall
To keep our Labs from fall.

Lassa diva
Casta diva
A dance with this diva
Is like playing with Shiva.

SAY NO TO LASSA FEVER

Sct.Chukwudi, Obinna
_YMLSF Publicity Secretary
08165699699
 obi2014@yahoo.com
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