ZIKA VIRUS IMPREGNATED LASSA FEVER [DETAILS]

Zika plus Lassa fever is equal to "AZUKA". Nigeria Contained Ebola; Can We Contain Lassa Fever and Zika Virus? Indeed, Nigeria my home country was among the first West African nations to contain the recent Ebola outbreak, as a result of rapid action, resilience and resources, and widespread health education.

This is the season of fevers. The menace of fevers is rocking the world. Yellow fever is no longer a global threat, but malaria fever is still with us while typhoid fever remains on the prowl. At least 40 Nigerians have lost their lives to the current outbreak of Lassa Fever across 10 states of the federation, but the ministry of health continues with efforts to keep the figures that low while eliminating the virus.

Basically, what do you think is the main cause of Zika Virus & Lassa Fever?
Zika virus is an emerging mosquito-borne virus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947 in rhesus monkeys through a monitoring network of sylvatic yellow fever. It was subsequently identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.

Zika virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito from the Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti in tropical regions. This is the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. As of February 2016, three reported cases indicate that Zika virus could possibly be sexually transmitted.

The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) of Zika virus disease is not clear, but is likely to be a few days. The symptoms are similar to other arbovirus infections such as dengue, and include fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise, and headache. These symptoms are usually mild and last for 2-7 days.

Mosquitoes and their breeding sites pose a significant risk factor for Zika virus infection. Prevention and control relies on reducing mosquitoes through source reduction (removal and modification of breeding sites) and reducing contact between mosquitoes and people.

Zika virus disease is usually relatively mild and requires no specific treatment. People sick with Zika virus should get plenty of rest, drink enough fluids, and treat pain and fever with common medicines. If symptoms worsen, they should seek medical care and advice. There is currently no vaccine available.

Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by Lassa virus, a member of the arenavirus family of viruses. It is transmitted to humans from contacts with food or household items contaminated with rodent excreta. The disease is endemic in the rodent population in parts of West Africa. Person-to-person infections and laboratory transmission can also occur, particularly in the hospital environment in the absence of adequate infection control measures. Diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the disease can be transmitted via sexual intercourse with infected persons, with such cases reported in the past. Person-to-person transmission occurs in both community and health-care settings, where the virus may be spread by contaminated medical equipment, such as re-used needles. Lassa fever occurs in all age groups and both sexes.

No vaccine for Lassa fever is currently available for use in humans, and the only available drug, ribavirin, is only effective if administered early in infection (within the first 6 days after disease onset). One of the hallmarks of Lassa virus infection is the apparent absence of functional antibodies during acute infection.

Prevention of Lassa fever is possible. That is basically built around promoting good “community hygiene” to bar rats from entering homes. Grains and other foodstuffs should be stored in rodent-proof containers, while disposing garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households. A large number of Nigerians do not love keeping cats, but the WHO prescribes that keeping cats can help keep Lassa fever away, by keeping rats away altogether. Family members should always be careful to avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons. 

The good news is, Lassa Fever or Zika Virus can be prevented. Treatment is free in Nigeria.

Information is power to conquer, not power to intimidate. This is to arm with you with necessary information to combat the disease and not to scare you.

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