Osun Govt Alerts Residents On Lassa Fever Outbreak

In line with the proactive and public spirited nature of the present administration in the State of Osun, members of the public and residents in the state have been put on alert as to the reported cases of a fresh outbreak of the Lassa Fever epidemic in some neighbouring states recently.

The reported outbreak, according to a public service announcement from the State of Osun Ministry of Health has become a cause for concern for the State Government. 

According to the ministry, which is tasked with the implementation of the health programmes of the state government, “Lassa fever is an acute infection caused by Lassa virus which incubates between 3 to 21 days”. 

The announcement revealed that a person can be suspected of having Lassa fever if they have severe illness associated with fever and at least one of the following signs: bloody stools, vomiting blood, unexplained bleeding from gums, nose, vagina, skin and eyes or any death associated with the above signs.

It also stated that its mode of transmission includes:

a. Person to person. That is contact with confirmed case of Lassa fever either through urine, blood, and stool

b. Infection from rodents; multimalmate rat, through contamination of food stuffs with rodent faeces and  urine. 

Residents have been advised to note the following health tips in order to avert the outbreak of this epidemic in Osun: 

“Environmental sanitation is to be promoted to discourage rodents from entering homes, refuse should be disposed far from homes, grains and other food stuffs must be kept away from rodents in rodent proof containers, infection, prevention and control guidelines should be strictly adhered to at the Health facilities.

“Any individual noticed to present with signs of the fever should urgently seek help at the nearest health facility”.