Akowuah Kwasi Atweri, Ofori Magdalene Sarah, Pratt Deborah, Abankwa Abigail, Bonney Evelyn Yayra, Enimil Nancy, Odei Eric, Asigbee Theodore Worlanyo, Laryea Dennis, Ketorwoley Prince, Amaning Juliana Naa Dedei Acquah, Boapea Maame Serwaa, Bour Stella, Ohene Sally-Ann, Avevor Patrick, Odoom John Kofi, Asiedu-Bekoe Franklin, Kuma-Aboagye Patrick, Kasolo Francis Chisaka, Abuaku Benjamin, Yeboah-Manu Dorothy, Bonney Joseph Humphrey Kofi
Department of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Department of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Front Public Health. 2025 Apr 28;13:1542842. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1542842. eCollection 2025.
Viral disease outbreak remains a key public health concern given its impact on life and livelihood. Historical data suggests Lassa fever is endemic in several West African countries with sporadic cases occurring elsewhere in the region. In February 2023, Ghana recorded its second outbreak of Lassa fever following that of 2011. The present study sought to document the epidemiology of the recent outbreak in Ghana.
The study used data from the case investigation forms accompanying samples submitted to Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research between February and March 2023 for Lassa fever testing. Descriptive analysis was used to analyse and report the demographic characteristics. Inferential statistics was used to determine associations between the study variables.
The overall positivity rate was 5.19% out of the 539 samples received. Most cases were confirmed in the Month of February. Positivity rate was higher among females (5.65%). Over 90% of all confirmed cases were from the Greater Accra Region. Case burden for LF was highest among healthcare professionals and also adults aged 25-35 years. The commonly reported symptoms among confirmed cases included headache, intense fatigue, fever, and muscle/joint pain.
Lassa fever was confirmed among 5.19% of the suspected cases. Transmission was largely through contact with the highest burden among healthcare workers which is suggestive of poor infection control procedures. There is a need to build and sustain fundamental public health capacities to recognise, diagnose, report, and respond to risks of public health concern and interest.
病毒性疾病爆发因其对生命和生计的影响，仍然是一个关键的公共卫生问题。历史数据表明，拉沙热在几个西非国家呈地方性流行，该地区其他地方也有散发病例。2023年2月，加纳继2011年之后记录了第二次拉沙热疫情。本研究旨在记录加纳近期疫情的流行病学情况。
该研究使用了2023年2月至3月期间提交给诺库奇纪念医学研究所进行拉沙热检测的样本所附病例调查表中的数据。采用描述性分析来分析和报告人口统计学特征。使用推断统计来确定研究变量之间的关联。
在收到的539份样本中，总体阳性率为5.19%。大多数病例在2月份得到确诊。女性的阳性率较高（5.65%）。所有确诊病例中超过90%来自大阿克拉地区。拉沙热的病例负担在医护人员以及25至35岁的成年人中最高。确诊病例中常见的报告症状包括头痛、极度疲劳、发热和肌肉/关节疼痛。
5.19%的疑似病例被确诊为拉沙热。传播主要是通过接触，医护人员中的负担最重，这表明感染控制程序不佳。有必要建立和维持基本的公共卫生能力，以识别、诊断、报告和应对公共卫生关注和感兴趣的风险。
