Quick Fact About LASSA FEVER

LASSA FEVER QUICK FACTS SOURCE Humans presumably become infected through contact with; Blood Urine Excreta Blood Urine Excreta Body Fluids TRANSMISSION When infected blood Contaminated touches bruised skin Food Contaminated Unprotected Sexual Intercourse medical equipment Lassa Virus CANNOT BE SPREAD THROUGH CASUAL CONTACT including SKIN-TO-SKIN CONTACT without exchange of body fluids SYMPTOMS The signs and symptoms of Lassa fever mimics the symptoms of the following illnesses; SEVERE MALARIA, TYPHOID FEVER, YELLOW FEVER and other VIRAL HEAMORRHAGIC FEVER Severe Headache High Fever Tiredness Persistent Rashes Vomiting Stomach Ache Diarrhoea When typical medication in treating these becomes unresponsive, a CLINICAL LABORATORY TEST is required to confirm Lassa fever. PREVENTIVE MEASURES Wash your hands, with liquid soap and anteseptics Always keep your house clean and rodent free Cooked or Uncooked food Clear all bushes around should be stored properly the house Always close windows, doors and block rat hideouts Kill rats with Rodenticides TREATMENT RIBAVIRIN the antiviral drug is effective in the treatment of Lassa fever, but only if administered early in the course of illness For more information visit www.lassaalert.org THEINFOPLOTTER Sources: http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/lassa/pdf/factsheet.pdf http://www.mrcindia.org/journal/issues/441001.pdf