# Serological Evidence of Lassa Virus Exposure in Non-Mastomys Small Mammals Within a Hyperendemic Region of North-Central Nigeria: A Pilot Study

## TL;DR

This study investigates Lassa virus exposure in small mammals in Nigeria, finding low and uniform risk but suggesting improvements in sample handling and surveillance.

## Contribution

The study provides new serological data on Lassa virus in non-Mastomys small mammals and highlights sample type impacts on detection.

## Key findings

- No significant variation in LASV prevalence was found across study sites in Otukpo LGA.
- A marginal difference in LASV detection between plasma and serum samples suggests sensitivity to sample type and storage.
- The findings emphasize the need for improved diagnostic protocols and broader surveillance.

## Abstract

Lassa fever (LF), a severe hemorrhagic disease endemic to West Africa, is primarily transmitted by rodents of the genus Mastomys, particularly Mastomys natalensis, which serve as the main reservoirs of Lassa virus (LASV). There have been reports of high prevalence of LF in Nigeria, and outbreaks tend to be recurrent yet geographically restricted, implying that additional ecological or epidemiological factors influence the distribution of the disease beyond the mere presence of M. natalensis. However, national-scale data on LASV prevalence in rodent populations remain scarce. To address this gap, a targeted small mammal survey was conducted over a four-month period (May to August 2024) in Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, north-central Nigeria. Rodents and other small mammals were trapped across three purposively selected wards identified as high-risk areas based on prior reports of occurrence of such small mammals in the areas and the informal settlements in which the selected wards were located in in Otukpo LGA. Analysis of the samples revealed no statistically significant variation in LASV prevalence among the study sites, indicating a relatively uniform, low-level exposure risk across the LGA and region. However, a marginally significant difference in LASV detection between plasma and serum samples suggests that sample type and storage conditions may influence serological sensitivity. These findings highlight the importance of refining diagnostic protocols, broadening surveillance to include additional rodent hosts, and integrating ecological data with public health strategies to improve early warning systems and strengthen Lassa fever control efforts.