Awareness against Lassa Fever: NANS hopeful President ASEFON, Group sensitize public against deadly virus

Asefon Sunday, the leading presidential candidate of the National Association of Nigerian students(NANS), Lawanson Adeniran Foundation in collaboration with perfect Health Initiative is embarking on a walk, tagged: "Media Awareness Campaign against Lassa Fever", in an attempt to bring attention to the growing number of lassa across the country.

The rates of Lassa Fever cases in the country in recent times have been alarming.

This was disclosed by the brain behind the Symbol of New NANS, Comrade Sunday Asefon, during a press conference held in Ado Ekiti during the week.

According to the group, the prevailing socio-health situation in Nigeria over the weeks has brought some level of fear and hullabaloo to the people.

As at 24th of January 2020, 195 confirmed cases and 29 deaths had been reported in 11 states, the Nigeria center for disease control(NCDC)issued in a statement on Saturday.

Lassa Fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the same family as the Ebola and Marburg viruses but is much less deadly.

It was first identified in Northern Nigeria in 1969.

The Virus is transmitted to humans from contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent faeces or urine, and has an incubation period of between six to 21days which can be transmitted through contact with an infected person via bodily fluids and excretions: blood, urine, saliva, sperm, vomit, faeces.

It can cause fever, physical fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea , headaches, abdominal pains or sore throat. Swelling of the neck or face can sometimes be observed.

In a statement issued, group urged the public to prevent rats from houses, do not touch rats, dead or alive with bare hands, cook all food properly before eating, block all holes in the house, wash hands &clean your home regularly and avoid self medication; go to approved health centers.

According to research, the "Antiviral drug ribavirin" appears to be an effective treatment for Lassa Fever "If given early on in the course of the clinical illness".

The group is of the opinion that religious leaders as well as those in government circles have to accept their responsibilities to the people in this regard.

The objectives of the Walk, which holds 30days awareness starting on Tuesday, January 28th, 2020 across the media, to Bring attention of Government, religious leaders, citizens and Nigerian students to the rising cases of Lassa fever; Create awareness on the symptoms and treatment; Bring back the communal sanitation in our environment; and Create an avenue for counseling for those under ignorance.