Description
Introduction
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by Lassa virus. Mastomys natalensis is the primary reservoir and source of spillover to humans through direct or indirect contact with bodily fluids. One-fifth of human infections result in severe disease. Human cases have predominantly been reported in the “Lassa belt” region; however, modeling predicts viral presence outside this “Lassa belt”; recent outbreaks confirm this.
Aim
Due to misconception of a “Lassa belt”, cases outside this region are likely missed. We hypothesize that Lassa virus occurs outside of the ‘Lassa belt’. We aim to characterize its true distribution in the rodent host.
Method
Rodents were trapped and sampled in 8 communities. Samples were qPCR tested for Lassa virus RNA.
Findings
We handled 193 rodents, of which 85 were M. natalensis. Of 128 samples tested to date (383 total), we detected 3 positive rodents, all from outside of the ‘Lassa belt’.
Innovative contribution
Our results are critical to public health policy and practice to increase Lassa awareness outside the ‘Lassa belt’, include it on the list of differential diagnoses for febrile patients, and enable early diagnosis, treatment, and improved survival. Additional research is needed to increase case detection outside of the ‘Lassa belt’.
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