Do you take canned drinks? Then please be very careful.
When you buy a canned drink, either soft drink or beer, the tendency is that you will open it and start drinking.
Please, henceforth, clean the top, preferably with water or wipes. Using your handkerchief or dry tissue means that you are spreading whatever germs are on the surface.
Lessa fever is spread by rodents like mice and rat, one sure recipient is a canned drink. Many owners store their drinks in the room, do not wash them and put them on sale. Now, you see why taking canned drinks can easily give you Lessa fever?
Below is a general information provided by the Ghanaian health authorizes?
Lassa Fever is an acute viral infectious disease which is endemic in West Africa. The disease is gradual in onset with non-specific signs and symptoms. About 80% of infections are mild or without symptoms, however the disease can be severe and fatal. The incubation period is between 2-21 days. Ghana had earlier in 2011 confirmed few cases Lassa fever in Ashanti and Eastern regions.
Signs and symptoms Early symptoms include: fever, general weakness, and malaria. After a few days, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, and abdominal pain may follow.
In severe cases facial swelling, fluid in the lung cavity, bleeding tendencies (from the mouth, nose, vagina or gastrointestinal tract) this may result in low blood pressure and shock. Late presentation may include shock, convulsion, disorientation, coma, multiple organ failure. Complications during recovery include permanent hearing loss (30% or cases); transient hair loss; and gait disturbance during recovery. The disease may present itself like Ebola, Yellow fever, Malaria, Typhoid fever, Respiratory Tract Infections, Ear Nose and Throat Infections etc.
How does Lassa Fever Spread? Lassa fever is transmitted to humans through contact with the urine, saliva, faeces and blood of rodents. The disease is endemic in rodent population in parts of West Africa. The reservoir for the virus is “multi-mammate rat.” Person on person transmission through direct physical contact with body fluids like blood, saliva, stool, vomitus, urine, and sweat of infected person and soiled linen used by a patient. Sharp instruments such as needles that have been used by an infected person Non-professional handling of person who have died of Lassa fever Can Lassa fever be treatment?
There is an effective drug for treatment if reported early to a health facility/center.
How can Lassa fever be prevented? No human vaccine against Lassa fever. Raising awareness of the risk factors of the disease and the protective measures individuals can take is the only way to reduce human infection and death. Promoting good community hygiene” in order to discourage rodents from entering homes Storing grains and other food stuffs in rodent-proof containers Disposal of garbage should be far from the home. Maintaining clean households and keeping cats to scare rodents away Family members should avoid contacts with blood and body fluids
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