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HEALTHCARE WORKERS’ KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES IN MANAGING LASSA FEVER: A STUDY FROM ONDO STATE, NIGERIA

Emeka Chukwudi Okonkwo·Amina Fatima Ibrahim
Published 21 February 2025
Vol. 12, No. 4 (2024)
pp. 27-38
CC BY 4.0
  1. 1
    Emeka Chukwudi Okonkwo
    Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos
    NG
  2. 2
    Amina Fatima Ibrahim
    Center for Human Virology and Genomics, Microbiology Department, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos
    NG

Lassa fever, caused by the Lassa virus (LASV) and transmitted via the multimammate rat Mastomys natalensis, poses a significant public health concern. The virus, a member of the Arenaviridae family, was first identified in Nigeria in 1969, taking its name from the town of Lassa in Borno State. These rats, as hosts of LASV, can excrete the virus in their urine for extended periods and produce numerous offspring, making them a formidable reservoir. The zoonotic nature of Lassa fever means it is primarily transmitted from animals to humans through contact with rat excreta, urine, and secretions. This mode of transmission accounts for roughly 19% of reported cases. Furthermore, human-to-human transmission, particularly through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, is a significant concern, primarily affecting caregivers and individuals in close proximity to infected individuals. Nosocomial transmission in healthcare facilities adds to the burden of this disease on the healthcare system. This abstract emphasizes the zoonotic and human-to-human transmission of Lassa fever, highlighting its dual impact on both public health and healthcare systems

JournalColumbia Journal of Health Sciences and Nursing
ISSN2998-8179
Volume / IssueVol. 12, No. 4 (2024)
Pages27-38
Published21 February 2025
DOI10.5281/zenodo.14898806
Access Open Access
LicenseCC BY 4.0 — reuse with attribution
PublisherKeith Publications
Okonkwo, E., Ibrahim, A. (2025). HEALTHCARE WORKERS’ KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND PRACTICES IN MANAGING LASSA FEVER: A STUDY FROM ONDO STATE, NIGERIA. Columbia Journal of Health Sciences and Nursing, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 27-38. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14898806

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