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Lassa Fever : New Concern for WHO

Amidst the crisis of Coronavirus, a disease named Lassa Fever has come to the fore, which can create a new challenge for the world in the coming times.

 The coronavirus crisis is not over yet and in the meantime a disease related to fever has come to the fore, which is spreading rapidly. In the coming time, this disease can create a new challenge for the world. People in Nigeria are getting infected rapidly due to this disease named Lassa Fever and in the meantime experts say that if the outbreak of Lassa fever increases in the midst of the Corona Pandemic, then it will be difficult for other countries of the world including Nigeria.  .

According to data from the Nigeria Center for Disease Control, so far 659 people in the country have been confirmed infected with Lassa Fever, while this year 123 people have died due to Lassa fever in 88 days. Apart from this, three patients of Lassa fever have also been found in Britain, out of which one has died.

This virus is responsible behind Lassa fever

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus. Lassa belongs to the Arenaviruses family of viruses and humans are commonly infected by African multimammate rats. The effect of Lassa fever on humans lasts for two to 21 days.

Symptoms of Lassa Fever are similar to Corona

According to the WHO, when a person is exposed to Lassa virus, symptoms like high fever, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, diarrhea, cough, abdominal pain and nausea are seen. . In severe patients, there is swelling on the face, water in the lungs, bleeding from the mouth and nose. Apart from this, the blood pressure of the patient also starts falling rapidly, in some cases, difficulty in breathing, flushing of the face, bleeding, chest pain, abdominal shock or vomiting may be felt.

According to experts, Lassa fever does not spread from person to person until symptoms become severe and its symptoms develop after 1 to 3 weeks. 

 

Difficult to trace infected

The biggest concern about Lassa fever is that 80 percent of its cases are asymptomatic, due to which it is very difficult to detect. According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, some patients have to be hospitalized and their illness can be very serious. Up to 15 percent of the patients admitted to the hospital suffering from Lassa virus can die.

How is Lassa fever spread?

According to experts, Lassa fever is spread through the faeces and urine of infected rats and if a person comes in contact with rat faeces and urine, then he can become infected with Lassa fever. After this the infected person can infect other people as well. In some cases, the infection can also spread through contact with bodily fluids or mucous membranes of an infected person such as eyes, mouth, nose.

When can death from Lassa fever occur?

The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control believes that after two weeks from the onset of symptoms of Lassa fever, in some cases the patient may die due to multi-organ failure.

What are the remedies to avoid Lassa fever?

In the midst of corona infection, the crisis of Lassa fever can be very serious. Therefore, to avoid this disease, it is being advised not to go to those places where rats breed. Apart from this, take special care of cleanliness in the house and take special care of ventilation.

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