Citizens Health

Lassa Fever. What we must know. While Lassa fever is a major public health challenge across Nigeria, Lagos has seen only a few cases so far. Thanks to swift medical action, these cases were rapidly isolated and treated, preventing community spread. But to keep our city safe, we must understand how it spreads, our health sector orthodox and unorthodox must continue to be vigilant. Our communities must understand how to protect themselves. Lassa fever is a severe viral illness that is contracted from animals to humans and then spread from human to human. It is primarily carried by wild and household rodents, which sheds the virus constantly in its urine and faeces. Many popular bushmeat species also carry the virus. How it is transmitted ▫️Having direct contact with infected rats urine faeces، saliva or blood. ▫️Consuming food or water contaminated by infected rodents. ▫️Contacts with surfaces، items and objects contaminated with the urine، faeces، saliva or blood of infected rats. ▫️Inhaling dust contaminated by infected rodents urine or droppings ▫️Once in a community, it spreads from person to person through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person. Prevention The path of Lassa fever is entirely preventable. By keeping food tightly sealed in rodent-proof containers, maintaining clean homes, and avoiding buying, handling, or consuming live or freshly killed wild animals, we break the chain. Let’s stay vigilant, practice strict hygiene, and protect our homes, our communities, and our healthcare heroes! #lassafreelagos #lassafever #lagoshealth #onehealth