COMBAT LASA FEVER

Press Release: March 02, 2018

A primary health nurse Owurani Charles Oduro has entreated Ghanaians to combat Lasa Fever.

In his statement to the press, he said it is sad loosing one of our country men to Lasa Fever.

"Our fight against Lasa Fever as a country is not the responsibility of health professionals, it is not the responsibility of government officials. But it's our responsibility as citizens of mother Ghana to fight this condition by
Practicing careful hygiene. Washing our hands with soap and wholesome water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to prevent the condition
Disinfect items that may have come in contact with a sick person’s blood or body fluids (such as clothes, bedding) to prevent spread
Refrain from funeral or burial rituals that require handling the body of someone who has die to prevent Lasa Fever.
Prevent contact with blood or other body fluids (such as urine, feces, saliva, sweat, urine, vomit, breast milk, semen, and vaginal fluids) from a sick person
Report to the nearest health facility if you notice any change in your body diagnosis and care"

He encouraged health workers to
Intensify surveillance to prevent the spread of Lasa Fever
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
Practice proper infection control and sterilization measures to prevent transmission of Lasa Fever and other diseases
Isolate patients with Lasa Fever from other patients to prevent transmission
Have no direct, unprotected contact with the bodies of people who have died from Lasa Fever.
Notify officials if you have had direct contact with the blood or body fluids.

Mr Owurani Charles Oduro appealed to the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Services and other stakeholders to provide necessary logistics to local health facilities (CHPS) since they are the first point of call in the health care delivery.

Lasa Fever spread so easily
Lasa Fever is deadly
Let's all join hands to fight it

GENERAL INFORMATION ON LASSA  FEVER
Lassa  fever is  an  Acute  Viral  Haemorrhagic  Fever  illness  which  is  endemic  in  the  West  Africa.  The incubation  period  is  6 to 21  days.    The  onset  of  Lasa Fever  illness  is  often  gradual,  with  non symptoms  and  commonly  presents  with  fever,  general  weakness  and  non-specific  signs  and malaise  at  the  early  onset.  After  a  few days,  headache,  sore  throat,  muscle  pain,  chest  pain,  vomiting,  diarrhoea  and  abdominal  pain  may  follow. Severe  cases  may  progress  to  show  facial  swelling,  and  bleeding  tendencies  (from  mouth,  nose,  vagina  or gastrointestinal  tract,  and  low  blood  pressure.  Shock,  seizures,  disorientation,  and  coma  may  be  seen  in  the late  stages.  Complications  include:  deafness,  transient  hair  loss  and  gait  disturbance  may  occur  during recovery.  Majority of  Lassa  Fever  infections  are  mild  or asymptomatic.
Lassa  fever  virus  is  transmitted  to  humans  via  contact  with  food  or  household  items  contaminated  with the  urine, saliva  faeces, and blood  of  the  rodent  (rat)