NIGERIA'S LASSA FEVER

NIGERIA struggles to contain dramatic spread of deadly Lassa fever.

Nigeria is battling on two fronts against an unprecedented outbreak of Lassa Fever, a cousin of  Ebola, that has already killed 110 people this year.

Even as doctors are grappling to contain the threat, health watchdogs, are struggling to understand why the deadly virus has spread as dramatically.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control  [NCDC] has confirmed  353 Lassa cases since January 1, compared with  143 cases for the whole of 2017.

But the possible reason for for this surge are many, said NCDC director Chikwe Iheakweazu.

''The harder you look, the more you find,'' he said, citing a change in the virus's environment, viral mutation  and better reporting of cases by the public in response to awareness campaign.

Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic  disease that can be transmitted to humans from infected rat faeces or urine.

Like the notorious Ebola - but thankfully somewhat less contagious-

It can also be passed from one person to another via contact with infected bodily fluids.

Full protective gear for medical personnel is vital and isolation is essential. [Agencies]