Lassa Fever: Nigeria's Minister of Health Says Careless Doctors Are To Blame For Spread Of Lassa Fever

Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole has blamed the spread of lassa fever on lax safety measures of health personnel in the country. He said this when he paid a courtesy call on the Ebonyi state Governor, David Umahi following the death of 4 Medical health workers from lassa fever.

He said:

“What is worrisome is that when doctors and healthcare workers become infected, then the country is in danger because everyone that will go and meet that doctor or nurse is at risk. Lassa fever requires close contact between the blood of an infected person and healthcare workers looking out for him. Once you wear gloves, wear protective gown, you can’t have Lassa fever. but we have discovered that doctors and nurses treat Lassa as if it is just ordinary flu or malaria, but it is not." 

Lassa fever is a viral infection caused by the Lassa fever virus and the disease occurs all year round but more cases are recorded during the dry season.

It is spread through direct contact with urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected rats, eating food or drinking contaminated water.

The disease can be prevented through enhanced personal hygiene, avoidance of all contact with rats (dead or alive) and keeping the house and surrounding clean.