Challenges to the Control and Eradication of Lassa Fever Virus in Nigeria

摘要

Lassa fever is a hemorrhagic viral infection prevalent in Nigeria despite interventions by the Nigeria Centre For Diseases Control and the Federal Ministry of Health. Having attained a high level of international recognition, is an emerging fast-spreading disease with the possibilities of causing epidemics. The confirmed and suspected cases of Lassa fever virus has spiraled over the last 3 years. The non-specific mode of clinical presentation also contributes to its prevalence. Rural dwellers are more susceptible to the viral diseases due to negligence, ignorance, low access to healthcare facilities, poverty and poor hygiene practices. There is need to ensure that adequate information about the diseases and ways of preventing it is made available not just to the endemic places or healthcare workers but a wide coverage of the population. Human- to- human transmission within the healthcare facility can be prevented through proper infection control trainings and provision of adequate personal protective equipment’s to the health workers. Community leaders, schools, religious institutions and health education officer’s needs to ensure that hygiene practices are encouraged within the rural communities. The government should ensure supply of rodenticides to reduce contamination of food by vectors (rodents of the Mastomys Spp). For Lassa fever virus control to be achieved, identified challenges and recommended solutions needs to be implemented by the government and agencies concerned.