Redeemer's University: Lassa outbreak response: early intervention and community response capacity in Ondo, Edo and Ebonyi states, Nigeria

Lassa Virus (LASV) is an old world Arenavirus carried by Mastomys natalensis (and others) in West Africa. It causes seasonal outbreaks of Haemorrhagic Fever of significant morbidity and mortality. Nigeria experienced the largest outbreak on record in the 2017/2018 season, further complicated diagnostically by having the greatest LASV genetic diversity of all affected countries (Siddle/Happi NEJM 2018, Anderson et al, Cell 2015). This Epidemic Response project aims to enable the early intervention, control and prevention of zoonotic Lassa Fever (LF) in humans. A key unknown is how humans actually acquire LASV infection. During this outbreak we aim to; 1) understand the route(s) and risk factors of zoonotic transmission through engagement and sampling in affected households and communities, and 2) to improve diagnostic capacity, biosafety practice through training and capacity building to enable early/rapid diagnosis, control and treatment. Understanding transmission will enable prevention. This will be achieved by increasing capacity for community engagement/education, environmental (food chain) and rodent sampling. At our clinical-diagnostic sites in Ondo, Edo and Ebonyi stateswe will increase lab biosafety and diagnostic capacity by improving lab infrastructure and training. Taken together, transmission intervention will prevent primary cases, while earlier diagnosis will enable earlier treatment and improve survival.

Programme: DFID-Wellcome Epidemic Preparedness Grant

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