Genomic Analysis of Lassa Viruses to Inform Outbreak Response

Genomic analysis of Lassa viruses during an outbreak in Nigeria showed no evidence of an unusual virus strain or sustained person-to-person transmission.

Lassa fever is endemic to parts of West Africa and typically results from contact with infected rodents or their excreta. When an unusually large outbreak (421 cases in 21 states) occurred in 2018, investigators undertook genomic analysis of outbreak viruses to gain insights into the potential reasons for the increase. They obtained samples from the current and previous outbreaks and sequenced the viruses. They constructed a phylogenetic tree with 220 genomes from the current study and 193 previously published Lassa virus genomes from West Africa.

In a phylogenetic analysis that included 129 genomes from the 2018 outbreak, the Lassa genomes clustered geographically, with the Niger and Benue Rivers appearing to present a natural barrier to th…

Reviewing Author

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Mary E. Wilson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardOneHealthTrust (formerly Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics, and Policy); Global Health Institute, University of Wisconsin

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsJournal of Travel Medicine

Genomic Analysis of Lassa Viruses to Inform Outbreak Response

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Reviewing Author