May 2024
The article Roberts, L. (Feb 2024). A Spiking Fever… Science, 383 (6685). 810-816, reviews the ongoing global threat from Lassa fever, a deadly hemorrhagic disease endemic in West Africa, which has seen a surge in cases in recent years. The disease, caused by the Lassa virus, is primarily transmitted to humans through contact with infected rodents, and while most Lassa virus infections are mild or asymptomatic, 15-20% of cases can be fatal, with mortality rates reaching as high as 70% in some outbreaks.
The article emphasizes the neglected status of Lassa fever, which has historically received far less attention and funding than other high-profile diseases like Ebola, but due to the recent spike in cases increased global attention and efforts to develop better diagnostics, treatments, and preventive measures are critical.
Click here to read the article and learn more about research underway to understand better the virus’s evolution and genetic diversity and the human genetic factors that may influence disease severity.
