Best lassa fever prevention for CDC
LASSA FEVER PREVENTION CDC
The primary transmission of the Lassa virus from its host to humans can be prevented by avoiding contact with Mastomys rodents, putting food away in rodent-proof containers and keeping the home clean help to discourage rodents from entering homes.
In this article we discussed essential measures individual can follow to protect himself and the community from bad effects of lassa fever disease.
Before we continue let us see what lassa fever is all about. We have came up with an exclusive definition that is simple to understand from the popular clinic “clevelandclinic”. Let’s see what they said.
What is Lassa fever?
According to the clevelandclinic, Lassa fever is an illness you get from a virus that’s common in countries of West Africa. Lassa is a type of viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) , a group of viruses that can cause uncontrolled bleeding. Most people who have Lassa fever have mild symptoms like fever, headaches and fatigue.
The above definition have told us comprehensive meaning of Lassa fever. In prevention it is good idea to know about what you need to get prevention from.
Why do we need prevention?
In Nigeria, there is currently Lassa fever outbreak. However, we all know that Lassa fever is a deadly disease. The diseases causes death and can be spread among the community.
NCDC reported according to Premiumtimes Nigeria, from the week one to week six of this 2024. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has said Nigeria recorded 411 confirmed cases and 72 deaths from Lassa fever across 21 states of the federation.
What next? the next is to get prevented. That is why we discussed about the prevention measures here.
Lassa fever transmission
Lassa fever is usually transmitted by consuming food contaminated with rodent excreta, but human-to-human transmission can occur via infected urine, feces, saliva, vomitus, or blood.
Transmission of Lassa virus to humans normally occurs through contamination of broken skin or mucous membranes via direct or indirect contact with infected rodent excreta on floors, home surfaces, in food or water. Transmission is also possible where rodents are caught and consumed as food.
Lassa fever prevention.
We discussed about prevention recommended by the Center for Disease Control. The measures are:
- Community Education.
- Block the primary transmission.
- VHF isolation precautions or barrier nursing methods
Community education
Educating people in high-risk areas about ways to decrease rodent populations in their homes will aid in the control and prevention of Lassa fever. Other challenges include developing more rapid diagnostic tests and increasing the availability of the only known drug treatment, ribavirin. Research is presently under way to develop a vaccine for Lassa fever.
Block the primary transmission channel
Primary transmission of the Lassa virus from its host to humans can be prevented by avoiding contact with Mastomys rodents, especially in the geographic regions where outbreaks occur. Putting food away in rodent-proof containers and keeping the home clean help to discourage rodents from entering homes. Using these rodents as a food source is not recommended. Trapping in and around homes can help reduce rodent populations; however, the wide distribution of Mastomys in Africa makes complete control of this rodent reservoir impractical.
VHF isolation precautions or barrier nursing methods
When caring for patients with Lassa fever, further transmission of the disease through person-to-person contact or nosocomial routes can be avoided by taking preventive precautions against contact with patient secretions (called VHF isolation precautions or barrier nursing methods). Such precautions include wearing protective clothing, such as masks, gloves, gowns, and goggles; using infection control measures, such as complete equipment sterilization; and isolating infected patients from contact with unprotected persons until the disease has run its course. This is Best lassa fever prevention CDC.
This prevention method was sourced from the Center for Disease Control, and was last reviewed in March 25, 2014.
