Is this lassa fever?

I just returned with fever and body aches from an official trip to Plateau State. I am worried because I learnt that there is a Lassa Fever outbreak in the state. Please let me know if this is Lassa Fever and what to do if it is so.

Fatai (by E Mail)

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Lassa fever is an illness caused by Lassa virus, a single-stranded RNA hemorrhagic fever virus from the family Arenaviridae. It is an acute febrile viral illness lasting one to four weeks, and it occurs in West Africa and some areas beyond.

Lassa fever was first described in the 1950s, and the viral particle was identified in 1969 from three missionary nurses who died in Lassa, Nigeria, after caring for an infected obstetrical patient.

Lassa fever is one of the hemorrhagic fever viruses, occurring in West Africa sub-regions in similar areas as Ebola virus. Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, and Nigeria are most often affected.

Lassa fever presents like any other fever, with symptoms such as headache, body pain and general feeling of being unwell. Therefore, anyone who is felling feverish like you, should visit the hospital immediately.

The prompt presentation is the key to reducing the mortality rate associated with the disease, but most times, patients do come to the hospitals late. It is also important for people to learn to keep their environment clean and ensure that it is not rodent-friendly. All grains must be stored in rodent-proof containers.