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Review
. 2015 Aug;109(8):483-92.
doi: 10.1093/trstmh/trv047. Epub 2015 Jun 17.

Mapping the zoonotic niche of Lassa fever in Africa

Adrian Q N Mylne  1 , David M Pigott  2 , Joshua Longbottom  3 , Freya Shearer  3 , Kirsten A Duda  4 , Jane P Messina  4 , Daniel J Weiss  4 , Catherine L Moyes  3 , Nick Golding  3 , Simon I Hay  5
Affiliations
Review

Mapping the zoonotic niche of Lassa fever in Africa

Adrian Q N Mylne et al. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2015 Aug.

Abstract

Background: Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic illness responsible for disease outbreaks across West Africa. It is a zoonosis, with the primary reservoir species identified as the Natal multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis. The host is distributed across sub-Saharan Africa while the virus' range appears to be restricted to West Africa. The majority of infections result from interactions between the animal reservoir and human populations, although secondary transmission between humans can occur, particularly in hospital settings.

Methods: Using a species distribution model, the locations of confirmed human and animal infections with Lassa virus (LASV) were used to generate a probabilistic surface of zoonotic transmission potential across sub-Saharan Africa.

Results: Our results predict that 37.7 million people in 14 countries, across much of West Africa, live in areas where conditions are suitable for zoonotic transmission of LASV. Four of these countries, where at-risk populations are predicted, have yet to report any cases of Lassa fever.

Conclusions: These maps act as a spatial guide for future surveillance activities to better characterise the geographical distribution of the disease and understand the anthropological, virological and zoological interactions necessary for viral transmission. Combining this zoonotic niche map with detailed patient travel histories can aid differential diagnoses of febrile illnesses, enabling a more rapid response in providing care and reducing the risk of onward transmission.

Keywords: Boosted regression trees; LASV; Lassa fever; Mastomys natalensis; Species distribution models; Viral haemorrhagic fever.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The epidemiology of Lassa virus transmission in West Africa.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Reported locations of Lassa virus (LASV) infection used to build zoonotic niche maps.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Predicted geographical distribution of the Natal multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Maps of the: (A) definitive extents as determined by evidence consensus; (B) recorded occurrence and generated background pseudo-absence points used in the BRT procedure and (C) predicted geographical distribution of the zoonotic niche for Lassa virus.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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