Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases
Volume 7, Issue 2, 2007, Pages 167-171

Lassa virus-infected rodents in refugee camps in Guinea: A looming threat to public health in a politically unstable region (Article)

Fair J.* , Jentes E. , Inapogui A. , Kourouma K. , Goba A. , Bah A. , Tounkara M. , Coulibaly M. , Garry R.F. , Bausch D.G.
  • a Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States, Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States, Tulane University MCB Program, c/o Department of Virology, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, 1301 Ditto Avenue, Ft. Detrick, MD 21702, United States
  • b Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
  • c International Center for Research on Tropical Infections, N'Zérékoré, Guinea
  • d International Center for Research on Tropical Infections, N'Zérékoré, Guinea
  • e International Center for Research on Tropical Infections, N'Zérékoré, Guinea
  • f International Center for Research on Tropical Infections, N'Zérékoré, Guinea
  • g International Center for Research on Tropical Infections, N'Zérékoré, Guinea
  • h International Center for Research on Tropical Infections, N'Zérékoré, Guinea
  • i Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Tulane University, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States
  • j Department of Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, LA, United States

Abstract

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. © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Author Keywords

Refugee Mastomys Lassa fever

Index Keywords

Rodent Diseases animal model Murinae Lassa virus zoonosis refugee Guinea Refugees priority journal Animals nonhuman Seasons Mastomys social worker Humans male female Rodentia Lassa Fever Liberia rodent Article animal experiment Disease Reservoirs infection risk Seroepidemiologic Studies Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay public health animal trapping Antigens, Viral
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-34547624371&doi=10.1089%2fvbz.2006.0581&partnerID=40&md5=5a92dc75f7ab1664734c09142f20aea7
DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2006.0581
ISSN: 15303667
Cited by: 15
Original Language: English