Gibb, R;
Moses, LM;
Redding, DW;
Jones, KE;
(2017)
Understanding the cryptic nature of Lassa Fever in West Africa.
Pathogens and Global Health
, 111
(6)
pp. 276-288.
10.1080/20477724.2017.1369643.
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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.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Understanding the cryptic nature of Lassa Fever in West Africa |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1080/20477724.2017.1369643 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1080/20477724.2017.1369643 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Lassa fever, arenavirus, zoonotic disease, viral haemorrhagic disease, Mastomys natalensis, agriculture, West Africa, One Health |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Life Sciences > Div of Biosciences > Genetics, Evolution and Environment |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1570206 |
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