Lassa virus-infected rodents in refugee camps in Guinea: a looming threat to public health in a politically unstable region.
Rodent-borne and other communicable diseases are of particular concern to vulnerable populations in complex humanitarian emergencies. We assessed the risk of Lassa fever to refugees and humanitarian aid workers in the Forest Region of Guinea by trapping rodents and testing them for the presence of Lassa virus infection. Our study provides a point prevalence of Lassa virus-infected rodents in various refugee camps in Guinea, suggesting that the risk of disease may be highest in camps further south toward the border with Liberia. The methodology used represents a potential model for rapid public health assessments in the setting of complex humanitarian emergencies.
Fair
Joseph
J
Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Joseph.Fair@amedd.army.mil
Jentes
Emily
E
Inapogui
Alphonse
A
Kourouma
Kerfella
K
Goba
Agustine
A
Bah
Alpha
A
Tounkara
Michel
M
Coulibaly
Mamadi
M
Garry
Robert F
RF
Bausch
Daniel G
DG
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000662:veterinary; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016701:Guinea; D006801:Humans; D007835:Lassa Fever / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission* / Q000662:veterinary; D007836:Lassa virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008297:Male; D051189:Murinae / Q000821:virology*; D011634:Public Health; D012036:Refugees; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D012377:Rodentia; D012621:Seasons; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
D000956:Antigens, Viral