GOOD NEWS: LASSA CAN BE PREVENTED

Lassa, like many other diseases bedevilling the world today, has no cure. However, ribavirin, an antiviral drug, has been used with commendable success in Lassa fever patients. It has been shown to be most effective when given early in the course of the illness, but patients also receive supportive care consisting of maintenance of appropriate fluid and electrolyte balance, oxygenation and blood pressure, as well as treatment of any other complicating infections.

-Prevention of Lassa fever is possible. That is basically built around promoting good “community hygiene” to bar rats from entering homes. 

-Grains and other foodstuffs should be stored in rodent-proof containers, while disposing garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households.

 -A large number of Nigerians do not love keeping cats, but the WHO prescribes that keeping cats can help keep Lassa fever away, by keeping rats away altogether.

- Family members should always be careful to avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons.