Centre for Clinical Microbiology, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK.
The Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Hatfield, UK.
Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob. 2021 Apr 24;20(1):29. doi: 10.1186/s12941-021-00431-0.
Lassa fever (LF), a zoonotic illness, represents a public health burden in West African countries where the Lassa virus (LASV) circulates among rodents. Human exposure hinges significantly on LASV ecology, which is in turn shaped by various parameters such as weather seasonality and even virus and rodent-host genetics. Furthermore, human behaviour, despite playing a key role in the zoonotic nature of the disease, critically affects either the spread or control of human-to-human transmission. Previous estimations on LF burden date from the 80s and it is unclear how the population expansion and the improvement on diagnostics and surveillance methods have affected such predictions. Although recent data have contributed to the awareness of epidemics, the real impact of LF in West African communities will only be possible with the intensification of interdisciplinary efforts in research and public health approaches. This review discusses the causes and consequences of LF from a One Health perspective, and how the application of this concept can improve the surveillance and control of this disease in West Africa.
拉沙热（LF）是一种人畜共患疾病，在拉沙病毒（LASV）在啮齿动物中传播的西非国家，给公共卫生带来了负担。人类接触LASV 的程度主要取决于 LASV 生态学，而 LASV 生态学又受到多种因素的影响，如天气季节性，甚至病毒和啮齿动物宿主的遗传学。此外，尽管人类行为在疾病的人畜共患性质中起着关键作用，但它严重影响着人际传播的扩散或控制。以前对 LF 负担的估计来自 80 年代，尚不清楚人口扩张以及诊断和监测方法的改进如何影响这些预测。尽管最近的数据提高了对流行病的认识，但只有通过加强研究和公共卫生方法方面的跨学科努力，才能了解 LF 在西非社区的真正影响。本综述从“同一健康”的角度讨论了 LF 的原因和后果，以及该概念的应用如何改善西非对这种疾病的监测和控制。
