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Review
. 2017 Sep;111(6):276-288.
doi: 10.1080/20477724.2017.1369643. Epub 2017 Sep 6.

Understanding the cryptic nature of Lassa fever in West Africa

Rory Gibb  1 , Lina M Moses  2 , David W Redding  1 , Kate E Jones  1   3
Affiliations
Review

Understanding the cryptic nature of Lassa fever in West Africa

Rory Gibb et al. Pathog Glob Health. 2017 Sep.

Abstract

Lassa fever (LF) is increasingly recognized by global health institutions as an important rodent-borne disease with severe impacts on some of West Africa's poorest communities. However, our knowledge of LF ecology, epidemiology and distribution is limited, which presents barriers to both short-term disease forecasting and prediction of long-term impacts of environmental change on Lassa virus (LASV) zoonotic transmission dynamics. Here, we synthesize current knowledge to show that extrapolations from past research have produced an incomplete picture of the incidence and distribution of LF, with negative consequences for policy planning, medical treatment and management interventions. Although the recent increase in LF case reports is likely due to improved surveillance, recent studies suggest that future socio-ecological changes in West Africa may drive increases in LF burden. Future research should focus on the geographical distribution and disease burden of LF, in order to improve its integration into public policy and disease control strategies.

Keywords: Lassa fever; Mastomys natalensis; One Health; West Africa; agriculture; arenavirus; viral haemorrhagic disease; zoonotic disease.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The known distribution and reported history of Lassa fever and Lassa virus in West Africa.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Transmission dynamics of Lassa virus in rodents and humans.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Phylogeography of Lassa virus and its reservoir host M. natalensis.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Present and predicted future distribution of Lassa fever risk in West Africa, estimated from environmental-mechanistic models.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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