Review article
https://doi.org/10.26332/seemedj.v5i1.154
The Endemicity of Lassa Fever in West Africa; Appropriate Mitigative Measures
Israel Oluwasegun Ayenigbara
orcid.org/0000-0002-0085-5493
; School and Community Health Education Unit, Department of Health Education, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
George Omoniyi Ayenigbara
; Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria
Michael Olubodun Abulogbon
; School and Community Health Education Unit, Department of Health Education, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Olayemi Febisola Laleye
; Health and Safety Education Unit, Department of Health Education, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Bolarinwa Akinyemi
; Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria
Abstract
Lassa fever is an ancient disease and is endemic in most West African countries. Importantly, Lassa fever is a dangerous and virulent disease because it exerts deleterious effects on many vital organs in the body. Due to its endemic nature and the yearly occurrence of the disease in terms of infection and mortality cases in some West African countries, specifically Nigeria, there is need to reexamine and reemphasize viable prevention alternatives. On this backdrop, this review provides a broad overview of Lassa fever, with the main emphasis on preventive measures. Infection with the Lassa fever virus has severe consequences on health; in this respect, multifaceted preventive measures that ensure and guarantee no contact with multimammate rodents should be adopted. Furthermore, contact with the feces and urine of multimammate rats should be avoided, personal hygiene should always be practiced, environmental sanitation should be ensured and carried out often, the consumption and eating of rats should be discouraged, abolished and ultimately stopped, and food containers should always be kept tight and closed.
Keywords
Lassa fever; zoonoses; West Africa; prevention; public health
Hrčak ID:
256780
URI
Publication date:
28.4.2021.
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