Dynamic and Epidemiology of Lassa Fever Infection in West Africa’s Population from 1969 to 2019

Abstract

Lassa virus (LASV) is a highly prevalent arenavirus that affects two to three million people in West Africa. A retrospective was conducted review through literatures search using the AGORA, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Researchgate and Google Scholar Databases on Lassa fever (LF) from West Africa. A total of 34 articles were studied from 11 countries. Studies were categorized by host and country, and analysis conducted to determine pooled prevalence estimates for each category Analysis was done using the metaprop command in STATA version 15 and MetaXL software. A total of 18.111 individual samples from 11 countries, described in 34 articles were studied. Analysis of twenty-six studies indicated that the pooled prevalence was 19.0% [95% CI (15.0-23.0 %), I2=97.93%]. There was a high level of heterogeneity between studies; however, the high prevalence of LASVwas noted in several countries as Nigeria (12-42%), followed by Sierra Leone (8-43%), and Guinea (9-40%). Pooled prevalence of LASV in human populations in studies conducted over the entire review period was 22.0% [95% CI (17.0-28.0 %), I2 =98.0%]; eighteen studies), while she was 9.0% [95% CI (4.0-15.0 %), I2=97.0%]; eight studies) for Mastomysspp. The knowledge of the geographical distribution and epidemiology may help disease control efforts and limit the risk of transmission, both locally and internationally. This study is also important in order to guide interventions, public health authorities and inform on the evolution of the disease.