CALABAR – Environmental changes, expanding human settlements and biodiversity loss are key factors driving the spread of Lassa fever in West Africa, according to findings presented during a two-day Evidence-Based Healthcare Reporting Workshop and Media Round Table organised by Cochrane Nigeria in collaboration with the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) and the University of Calabar.
The presentation, facilitated by Dr. Edu, was delivered to selected journalists in Calabar as part of efforts to strengthen evidence-based health reporting and improve public understanding of scientific research.
Dr. Edu explained that Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic disease caused by the Lassa virus (LASV), which is primarily transmitted through contact with the urine, faeces, saliva or blood of infected multimammate rats (Mastomys natalensis), the virus' principal reservoir.
Drawing from a 2025 systematic review that analysed studies conducted between 1969 and 2023, he identified three major environmental drivers of Lassa virus transmission.
According to him, seasonal rainfall patterns significantly influence the movement and population of rodents, resulting in increased human infections during the dry season when the animals move into homes in search of food.
He also noted that agricultural expansion, deforestation and the conversion of natural habitats into human settlements create favourable conditions for rodents to thrive close to people. Poor food storage and housing conditions, he added, further heighten the risk of transmission.
Speaking on biodiversity, Dr. Edu said although Mastomys natalensis remains the primary reservoir of the virus, other rodent species may also carry Lassa virus, raising concerns about its spread into new areas. He added that maintaining biodiversity could help reduce infection risks by limiting the dominance of infected rodent populations.
The facilitator stressed that while scientific evidence clearly links environmental factors to Lassa fever outbreaks, important research gaps remain, particularly concerning seasonal changes and biodiversity loss.
He warned that climate change, through rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns, is likely to expand areas suitable for the virus, exposing more communities to infection.
Dr. Edu emphasised the need for a One Health approach that integrates human, animal and environmental health to guide evidence-based policies capable of preventing future outbreaks and protecting vulnerable populations.
The workshop equipped journalists with practical skills for interpreting and reporting health research accurately, reinforcing the critical role of the media in combating misinformation and promoting evidence-based public health reporting.
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