Dr. Nosa Ehigie, a medical expert, has warned that Lassa fever is often mistaken for malaria in its early stages, leading to delayed diagnosis, treatment, and increased health risks for patients.
Ehigie, the Medical Director of Owen Hospital in Benin, made this statement in an interview with reporters on Sunday.
He explained that the disease initially presents symptoms similar to malaria, such as fever, weakness, and general body discomfort. He advised that any patient being treated for malaria or typhoid who does not respond to medication should be evaluated immediately for possible Lassa fever.
He added that suspicion should be heightened when persistent fever is accompanied by bleeding symptoms, emphasizing the importance of prompt medical evaluation, laboratory testing, and timely intervention to significantly reduce complications.
“Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease. It is classified as an acute viral hemorrhagic fever, meaning that while many cases are mild or asymptomatic, severe cases can damage blood vessels, cause organ failure, and lead to uncontrolled bleeding.
“The disease may progress to vomiting blood, coughing up blood, or other forms of bleeding. Once such symptoms appear, there should be a high index of suspicion, and the case should be reported immediately,” he said.
The medical director explained that Lassa fever can be transmitted through contact with infected body fluids and secretions. He noted that people handling rodents without protection face a higher risk of exposure.
Ehigie advised that suspected cases should be isolated and reported promptly to relevant health authorities for testing, surveillance, and management. He emphasized that specialized treatment facilities are available for confirmed cases.
He identified the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo as a key center for diagnosis and treatment of the disease, urging private hospitals to refer confirmed cases to designated facilities.
The physician also urged residents to maintain clean surroundings and avoid contact with rodents, describing environmental sanitation as a key preventive measure against Lassa fever’s spread.
He acknowledged the efforts of government agencies and international health partners in strengthening disease surveillance, public awareness campaigns, and emergency response initiatives across communities nationwide.
Meanwhile, resident Mrs. Somto Chibuike said she had heard about Lassa fever for years but had never personally encountered anyone diagnosed with the disease.
“I have been hearing about Lassa fever for years, but I’ve never seen anyone with it. Sometimes, people wonder whether it is really common,” she said.
Chibuike called for continued public awareness campaigns to educate communities on the symptoms, transmission, prevention, and dangers of Lassa fever, and encouraged early reporting of suspected cases.
