LASSA fever - what really is it?

The past few months have been filled with rumours, coupled with enlightenment about what is called the 'Lassa fever'.

Of recent, some states, Ogun State (Nigeria) inclusive declaimed claims of recording the deadly fever.

Lassa fever is an acute viral infection associated with persistent high fever caused by the Lassa Virus. It was discovered first in Lassa, Borno State, Nigeria in 1969. However, it can be found in other places, especially in West Africa e.g. Liberia, Guinea and Seirra Leone.

HOW IS IT SPREAD?
People become infected by eating infected bush rat or eating food contaminated with the rat excreta/urine deposited on surfaces such as floors, beds, household utensils or in food and water (eg. grains spread out to dry along the roads by farmers). Person to person spread also occurs by direct contact or inhalation of infected body fluids such as blood, urine, saliva, throat secretion etc..

WHO CAN BE INFECTED?
All age groups. Persons at greater risk are those in areas of poor sanitation and health workers managing such cases.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?
The illness usually starts with fever, general weakness and malaise. Other signs and symptoms are headache, sore throat, pain behind the breast bone, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, abdominal pain and red spots. In severe cases, it may progress to swollen face, bleeding (from mouth, nose, and vagina), gastrointestinal tract and low blood pressure.

HOW CAN LASSA FEVER BE PREVENTED?
Avoid contact between rats and human beings;
Keep your house and Environment clean.
Cover all foods and water properly.
Cook all foods thoroughly
Block all rat hideouts
Do not spread food where rats can have access to it.
And as soon as you suspect Lassa fever, or you have persistent fever not responding to the standard treatment for malaria and typhoid, report to the nearest Health facility.

TREATMENT OF SUSPECTED CASES
Early treatment with Oral Ribavirin is recommended. In severe infection, injection of Ribavirin is used. Barrier nursing is highly recommended.

PLEASE SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH OTHERS.

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Call For African Poets: International Women's Day

Deadline: 1 March 2012

Make Every Woman Count is an organization dedicated to empowering women and girls in Africa, would like you to join its Women’s Day activities.

Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8th, first began at the turn of the beginning of the 20th century in industrialized countries born out of women’s struggle to be treated equally to men in society. Throughout the years it has grown to become a day of recognition and celebration of women’s achievements and struggles around the world.

Through poetry MEWC would like commemorate Women’s Day. And we would like you to be the poets! Through poetry let us reflect on this year’s Women’s Day, what it represents, and this year’s theme: “Connecting girls, inspiring futures.” According to International Women’s Day website, “if every International Women's Day event held in 2012 includes girls in some way, then thousands of minds will be inspired globally.”

MEWC will accept poems by African women and girls and those interested in women’s rights in Africa in a poetry style of their choosing. No prior experience with professional writing is necessary, however please familiarize yourself with the MEWC website and its mandate.

All submissions must be made to info@makeeverywomancount.org by Thursday 1st March. They should include a photo of yourself and a brief biography. The chosen poems will be published on Women’s Day, 8 March.

Please feel free to email us at the above address with any questions.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

For inquiries: info@makeeverywomancount.org

For submissions: info@makeeverywomancount.org

Website: http://makeeverywomancount.org

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2012 Zeitgeist ‘Young Minds’ Competition: Call for application

The 2012 edition of the Zeitgeist ‘Young Minds’, a competition to find 10 pioneers, change-makers and leaders of tomorrow aged 18 – 24, across Europe, Middle East and Africa* is now open. The winners will take their place alongside the greatest visionaries of today at Google Zeitgeist 2012 near London on May 20th – 22nd 2012.

From January 25th until March 19th 2012, the search will be on to find 10 exceptional, motivated and inspiring 18-24 year-olds from across EMEA*, who are making a positive impact in the world through science, the arts, education, innovation or inspiration.

The lucky winners will be invited to participate in Google’s annual Zeitgeist event, where previous speakers have included Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts, Google CEO Larry Pageand Chairman Eric Schmidt. They will also win a brand new Google tech gadget and get the chance to take to the stage and have their voice heard.

Last year saw the first ever ‘Young Minds’ competition in both the UK and America. The lucky finalists won an experience of a lifetime, from meeting Chelsea Clinton and Will I Am, to taking part in panel discussions with Jon Snow and Martha Lane Fox (Co-founder Lastminute.com).

Orli Setton was a winner from 2011 and described attending Zeitgeist as “magical, fantastic and powerful! What I enjoyed most was the innovative, energetic and creative atmosphere.”
Matt Brittin, Vice President of Northern & Central Europe, Google commented, “Google has always championed innovation and is proud to help young people showcase their ideas and achievements. Zeitgeist Young Minds is an incredible opportunity for future world-changers to meet some of the most powerful and inspiring people on the planet today.“

The winners will take part in a series of bespoke master classes with the aim of inspiring as well as giving them mentoring to help further their project and get their hands on the latest Google gadget. But what’s even more exciting is that a select few will also get the opportunity to take to the stage and have their voice heard. Here are the highlights from last year’s panel discussion with Martha Lane fox, Jon Snow and our Young Minds winners http://youtu.be/6_LYNwuaub4

To be in with a chance of winning a place at Zeitgeist 2012, all entrants have to do is simply upload a video no longer than a minute telling us how they are making a difference to the world towww.ZeitgeistYoungMinds.com

The competition is open to entrants from the following countries within EMEA:
South Africa, Algeria, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, Egypt, Spain, France, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Uganda, Holland, Poland, Czech Republic, United Kingdom, Russia , Sweden , Tunisia & Yemen.

Source: www.ZeitgeistYoungMinds.com

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AFRIGROWTH YOUTH MENTORING ACADEMY: Call for application

Earn a Certificate in Project Cycle Management Through The Afrigrowth Youth Mentoring Academy on Full Scholarship

AfriGrowth Foundation with the support of TY Danjuma Foundation is currently receiving applications for the second batch of AfriGrowth Youth Mentoring Academy which aims at empowering young unemployed graduates in Nigeria with requisite skills in Leadership and Project Cycle Management with hands-on experience in real life situations through a mentoring internship.

The Program in this batch will target 25 unemployed graduates who will be awarded scholarships to undergo two months of intensive training and mentoring-internship in various areas of interest.

 

Eligibility:

• Candidates must be Nigerian by Nationality 
• Must not be more than 35 years old 
• Must have concluded one-year compulsory National Youth Service. 

Prospective participants are expected to have:

• Established interest and dedication to self development
• Basic understanding of issues of importance to self and future projections
• Commitment to build on things learnt and interest to mentor other young people.

To apply, please download the application form here . 

 

For more information, click here or contact: 08174858338 OR 07038374522

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