JCIN IKEJA SENSITIZE LASSA FEVER THROUGH ONLINE MEDIA ON FRIDAY

Determined to bring joy and sensitize Nigerians and Africa in Diaspora about the deadly disease, “LASSA FEVER”, Junior Chamber International Nigeria, Ikeja THE LEGACY BUILDER, will on Friday January 29^th, Join hands with renowned Nigerians and world health authorities to educate on good health and well being. The interactive segment is scheduled on Twitter for easy communication.

In its commitment to expand global sensitization of Lasa Fever, contribute good health and well being according to SDG GOAL, the Local Organization President of Junior Chamber International Nigeria, Ikeja, Olamide Akin Balogun Confirmed that #KickLassaFeverOutCampaign Online Campaign is being hosted by JCI, Global Impact Ambassador, Medicaid Diagnostics, Bring Back our Girls Group, Kebbi State, Host (health matters on NigeriainfoFM 99.3 ) to answer questions on everything LASSA FEVER.

The programme provides answers to unknown questions of the menace. Nigerians and the world at large will find out the causes of “LASSA FEVER”, how to aid it, how to manage the crisis period and many more.  

The focus of this event is sensitizing about the fever and totally eradicates the deadly disease.

Among the contributors and moderators of the online discussion are agents of change, such as: Pascal Dike: Junior Chamber International World President, Amb. Olatunji Oyeyemi: JCI Nigeria National President, Amb. Olamide Akin Balogun, David Eka Jnr; Global Impact Ambassador: Local Organisation President, JCIN Ikeja, Dr Zainab Shinkafi: Wife of Kebbi State Governor, Juliet Offiah : Host,Health Matters on NigeriaInfoFM 99.3, Aisha Yesufu: Leader Of the BBOG Group, Amb. Henry Adedokun: Executive Vice President South West Nigeria, Amb. Adetola Juyitan: National Vice President, South West Nigeria and All Medic Aid Diagnostics center Doctors

Lassa Fever was first discovered in the 1950’s but the cause of the deadly fever was not identified until 1969. It is mainly found in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, and Nigeria and is spread by rats. Other neighboring countries are also at risk because the type of rat that spreads the virus is also found throughout the West African region. Due to the clinical course of the disease is so variable, detection of the disease in affected patients has been difficult but prompt isolation of affected patients, good infection protection and control practices and rigorous contact tracing can stop outbreaks.

Humans usually become infected with Lassa virus from exposure to urine or faeces of infected Mastomys rats. Lassa virus may also be spread between humans through direct contact with the blood, urine, faeces, or other bodily secretions of a person infected with Lassa fever. There is no epidemiological evidence supporting airborne spread between humans

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

The signs and symptoms of Lassa fever commonly happen 1-3 weeks after a person has come into contact with the virus. For most of those with a Lassa fever virus infection; around 80%, symptoms are mild and under-diagnosed. Mild symptoms include: Weakness, Headaches, Slight fever, General malaise, Repeated vomiting, Respiratory distress, Pain in the back, chest and abdomen, Facial swelling

DIAGNOSIS

The symptoms of Lassa fever are varied and non-specific, clinical diagnosis is often difficult, especially early in the course of the disease. Definitive diagnosis requires testing that is available only in specialized laboratories. Laboratory specimens may be hazardous and must be handled with extreme care. Lassa virus infections can only be diagnosed definitively in the laboratory using the following tests:

Antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Antigen detection tests, Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, Virus isolation by cell culture.

TREATMENT/ PREVENTION

‘Ribavirin,’ is an antiviral drug that has been used with success in people affected by Lassa fever in its early stage.

Supportive care that consists of maintenance of:

Oxygenation, Blood pressure, Treatment of complicating infections, Appropriate fluid and electrolyte balance. Effective measures include storing grain and other foodstuffs in rodent-proof containers, disposing of garbage far from the home, maintaining clean households and keeping cats. Because Mastomys are so abundant in endemic areas, it is not possible to completely eliminate them from the environment. Family members should always be careful to avoid contact with blood and body fluids while caring for sick persons.

Lassa fever should be considered in febrile patients returning from West Africa, especially if they have had exposures in rural areas or hospitals in countries where Lassa fever is known to be endemic. Health-care workers seeing a patient suspected to have Lassa fever should immediately contact local and national experts for advice and to arrange for laboratory testing.

JCIN IKEJA

Junior Chamber International Ikeja is an affiliate of Junior Chamber International – a worldwide federation of young and active citizen. Mission to provide development opportunities that empower young people to create positive change’ and Vision to be the leading global network of young active citizens’. The Local Organisation was birthed in March 1983 in the boardroom of Pfizer Nigeria Limited with five foundation members namely:  Femi Ogunsanwo, Bukola Ogun, Sina Sobanjo, Tunde Ojo and Foluso Philips (of the famous Phillip Consulting) to affect our immediate community- this is our 29^th year of existence with a strong history of achievements and legacy builders that precedes us. From a humble beginning of 15 members, we have grown to over 70 with our members from all works of life.

 JCIN, IKEJA impact had been felt in the country positively as we propagated some of the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’S) e.g. the Tree Planting Project that was initiated by our Chapter in 1989 and the TREES are still in place from Maryland to Alausa in the Ikeja community, Construction of a Bore-Hole to the Remand Homes in Ikeja, Donation of Hospital Beds to the Onigbongbo Local Government Health Clinic, Ipodo Village, Ikeja, Army Barracks, etc.

To be part of this life saving message, join us on Twitter through:

@jciikeja handle on Friday January 29th:

10am with Dr. Julz (@doctorjulz) Host, Health Matters on NigeriaInfoFM 99.3

11am with JCI World President, Paschal Dike through @obpaschal

12noon with Aishat Yesufu of BBOG through @AishaYesufu 

1pm with JCI Nigeria National President Oyeyemi Olatunji through @jci_nigeria 

2pm with Doctors from Medical Aid Diagnostic Center through @MedicaidRad

3pm with JCI Nigeria South West Executive Vice President through @adedokunhenry

4pm with JCI Nigeria South West National Vice President through @adetola_juyitan

5pm with JCI Ikeja Local Organization President through @oakinbalogun.