According to the doctor, keeping cats at home will help residents to drive away rats, carriers of the Lassa fever virus. “I advise we start keeping cats in our houses and maintain good hygiene, to reduce rats and Lassa fever cases. “The Lassa virus is transmitted to humans via contact with food or household items, contaminated with rodent urine or feces. According to him, humans contact the disease through direct contact with the blood, urine, feces, or other bodily secretions of a person infected with Lassa fever. “Health workers are also at risk when caring for Lassa fever patients in the absence of proper barrier, nursing and infection prevention, and control practices.”According to him, Lassa fever, also known as Lassa Hemorrhagic Fever (LHF), is a type of viral hemorrhagic fever caused by Lassa virus and occurs typically in West Africa.

Source: The Guardian January 24, 2020 14:48 UTC