S Leone braces for deadly fever

2008-01-18 12:27

Freetown - Medical and aid officials in Sierra Leone are preparing for an anticipated outbreak of Lassa fever, a disease that claims about 200 lives every year, Health Minister Soccoh Kabia said on Thursday.

The viral infection "is endemic over this period in the eastern district of the country", including the third largest city, Kenema, and the outlying towns of Tongo Field and Panguma in the diamond mining belt, Kabia said.

"We are studying the current situation and compiling reports on a possible outbreak as between January and February, the disease is at its peak with the preparation of farming activities," the minister said.

He explained that when farmers were clearing and burning the brush, "the bush rats who carry the virus take cover in residential homes," then "people come in contact with the virus through excreta and urine of the bush rats and in some cases, people feed on these rats and are then exposed to the complications."

Preventive measures taken include the establishment of a remedial centre in Kenema, with aid from the UN World Health Organisation (WHO), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and World Food Programme and a British non-governmental organisation, Merlin.

"It is a disease to take seriously because of its high rate of mortality," Kabia warned. "If it is not acted on, 90% of unborn babies as well as suckling and pregnant women will be at risk."

District Medical Officer Yankuba Bah said "people affected by Lassa fever don't go for treatment in hospitals but prefer risky cures from fake medical workers at cheaper costs".

The disease, which causes fever, headache, difficulty in swallowing and can lead to infection of vital organs and death, is named for a village in Nigeria where it was identified.

An opposition member of parliament from Kenema, Francis Konuwa, said the district "is a Lassa fever belt. Poor water facilities as well as the unavailability of trained and qualified health officers have worsened the situation. We drink water from the same source where rats also drink."

According to WHO statistics, life expectancy in the west African state is estimated at 38 years as the country is among those with the lowest life expectancy at birth.

Before Sierra Leone was ravaged by a brutal 1991-2001 civil war, the average lifespan of Sierra Leoneans was about 45 years. The enormity of public health problems is largely considered accountable for such a short life expectancy, the WHO assessment said.

- AFP