Lassa Fever Disease Research Articles

Knowledge and Perception of Afenmai Residents on Lassa Fever Outbreak in Nigeria

The media as purveyors and carriers of information frequently examine issues of public health by publishing messages that could guide the audience to make informed decisions about their health. This study therefore, examined the knowledge and perception of Afenmai residents on lassa fever disease outbreak in Nigeria. Anchored on Agenda Setting and the Health Belief Model, the study relied on survey design with questionnaire as instruments of data collection. Multi-stage sampling technique was used to sample 400 respondents from a population of 1,317,655 persons selected from six local government areas: Akoko-Edo, Etsako-Central, Etsako-East, Etsako-West, Owan-West, Owan-East, in Afenmai region of Edo state. Findings indicate that the Afenmai people are exposed to campaigns on lassa fever prevention and control and that there is a significant level of adoption of the transmitted campaign messages. Based on the findings of the study, the researchers conclude that there is significant difference in the perception of Afenmai residents on lassa fever pandemic in Nigeria. The researchers further concluded that the media played useful role in sensitizing the residents of the region on the virus. It therefore, recommended that government and media organizations should enhance media campaign messages on lassa fever outbreak in the county amongst others. Keywords: Knowledge; Perception; Afenmai; Residents; Lassa Fever. DOI: 10.7176/NMMC/98-04 Publication date: September 30 th 2021

Hypoalbuminaemia, reversal of albumin globulin ratio as predictor of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized Lassa fever patients

Background: Lassa fever disease is a cause of immunosuppression, vasculopathy and inflammation with multi-systemic involvement leading in some cases to hematologic, hepatic, renal, neurologic and cardiovascular damage. Hypoalbuminaemia is associated with inflammation. Inflammation increases capillary permeability and escape of serum albumin, leading to expansion of interstitial space and increasing the distribution volume of albumin. The albumin/globulin ratio (AGR) is the amount of albumin in the serum divided by the globulins. The ratio is used to try to identify causes of change in total serum protein. Methods and materials: Retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study of cohorts of patients managed in the Infection Control and Research Centre of federal Medical centre Owo Nigeria between November 2018 to June 2019. Results: One hundred and eighty seven confirmed Lassa fever patients were managed in the Centre during the study period but we were able to recover complete records as regards needed parameters for eighty three patients of ages 1-90 (mean ± SD 33.95 ± 18.80) with 54% male and 46% female. At admission 79.5% had hypoalbuminaemia while 20.5% had normal albumin level. Mortality rate among the studied cases was 8.7% 7(83) of which all had hypoalbuminaemia ranging from mild to severe. There was a direct relationship between hypoalbuminaemia and increasing length of hospitalization (66.7% for those who stayed between 1–10days, 80.5% 11–19 days and 92.7% ≥20 days). Albumin globulin ratio reversal was seen in 89.2% of these patients. There was significant relationship between patients who had acute kidney injury (p = 0.001), dialysis (0.004), miscarriage (0.001), bleeding diathesis (0.001) and hypoalbuminaemia. Hypoalbuminaemia was found to be associated with deranged liver enzymes AST (0.003), ALT (0.004), ALP (0.001) and elevated WBC (0.001). Conclusion: There is a baseline hypoalbuminaemia and reversal of albumin-globulin ratio among confirmed Lassa fever disease patients. This event has been found to be significant in determining the severity of the disease, patient's outcome, the length of hospitalization and presence of other comorbidities. Lassa fever patient presenting with hypoalbuminaemia may be assumed to have deranged liver enzymes and elevated WBC based on this finding.

In search for the hotspots of Disease X: A biogeographic approach to mapping the predictive risk of WHO's blueprint priority diseases

Background: Current trends of emerging infectious disease outbreaks (EIDs) forecast impending global epidemiological crises. Human-driven environmental changes, including climate change along with overpopulation and global travel, have been contributing to EIDs outbreaks in many developing countries. The subject has attracted increasing attention with the recent Ebola and Zika epidemics, which highlights the potential threats to human and animal health, social stability, and global trade and economy. The blueprint priority diseases (BPDs) is a list established by the World Health Organization of ten zoonotic diseases, which are in urgent need of research. We proposed mapping the predictive risk of the BPDs using spatial Bayesian models and species distribution modelling of the outbreaks following the year 2000. The aim is to provide a global perspective, measure predictive risks, and evaluate the use of biogeography on predicting diseases outbreaks. We also proposed disease biogeography as a tool for identifying the potential hotspots for Disease X listed in the BPDs. Methods and materials: Data of the observed outbreaks (2000–2018) were obtained from promed mail and WHO archives. Bioclimatic covariates and altitude data were extracted from ‘worldclim’ (R package dismo) and the 2017 land cover data (MODIS satellite imagery). We constructed species distribution models including bioclim, maxent and Bayesian models with absence data generated to map the predictive risk of future outbreaks. Results: Most of the predicted geographic risk extent estimated from the observed data of MERS, Marburg Virus Disease and Rift Valley fever were found to occur in arid and across the Middle East and Eastern regions of Africa. The predictive extent of Lassa fever and Ebola Virus Disease consisted of regions in the Western and Central Africa, predominated by humid rainforests. We found a significant correlation between the disease extent and the distribution of confirmed and suspected biological reservoirs and also with deforestation. The AUC of the generated models was maintained over 0.9 (average - 0.978). Conclusion: Biogeography is a robust tool in forecasting hotspots of EIDs outbreaks. We will also complete the analysis by aggregating the common risk factors of the predicted EIDs to characterize hotspots for an unknown Disease X.

Dynamical System Analysis of a Lassa Fever Model with Varying Socioeconomic Classes

Lassa fever is an animal-borne acute viral illness caused by Lassa virus. It poses a serious health challenge around the world today, especially in West African countries like Ghana, Benin, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. In this work, we formulate a multiple-patch Lassa fever model, where each patch denotes a socioeconomic class (SEC). Some of the important epidemiological features such as basic reproduction number of the model were determined and analysed accordingly. We further investigated how varying SECs affect the transmission dynamics of Lassa fever. We analysed the required state at which each SEC is responsible in driving the Lassa fever disease outbreak. Sensitivity analyses were carried out to determine the importance of model parameters to the disease transmission and prevalence. We carried out numerical simulation to support our analytical results. Finally, we extend some of the results of the 2-patch model to the general n -patch model.

Knowledge and practice of preparedness for infectious disease prevention and control among healthcare workers in secondary health care facilities in Osogbo, Nigeria

Background: Health care workers have critical roles to play in breaking the chain of infections in health care settings. The outbreak of Lassa Fever and Ebola Virus Disease in the West African sub-region in recent times is a rationale for a dire need for a strong epidemic preparedness system. The objective of the study is to assess the knowledge and practice of preparedness for infectious disease prevention and control among healthcare workers in secondary health care facilities in Osogbo, Nigeria.Methods: It was a Descriptive cross sectional study and 340 healthcare workers were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Research instrument used were semi structured pre-tested interviewer-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using the SPSS software version 17 .0.Results: The mean age of the respondents was 42 + 8.9 years. Out of the 340 healthcare workers studied 88.7% had good knowledge, while 72% and 67% had favorable attitude and good practice towards preparedness for infectious disease prevention and control respectively. Three hundred and eight (90.6%) said they washed their hands regularly before and after procedures. Only 37.4% said they still recap used needles and 31.8% said they have Infectious Disease Prevention and Control committee in their health facility. One hundred and ninety eight (58.2%) said they normally practice quarantine for eligible suspected cases and 77.4% perceived themselves to be at occupational risk of contracting infectious diseases. Having more than ten years of working experience was the major predictor of likelihood to have good knowledge, attitude and practice of preparedness on binary logistic regression analysis.Conclusion: The gap between knowledge and practice of preparedness for Infectious Disease and prevention Control calls for improved awareness and training among health workers, and their consistent monitoring towards behavioural change.

Pichinde Virus Infection of Outbred Hartley Guinea Pigs as a Surrogate Animal Model for Human Lassa Fever: Histopathological and Immunohistochemical Analyses.

Lassa virus (LASV) is a mammarenavirus (arenavirus) that causes zoonotic infection in humans that can lead to fatal hemorrhagic Lassa fever (LF) disease. Currently, there are no FDA-approved vaccines or therapeutics against LASV. Development of treatments against LF and other related arenavirus-induced hemorrhagic fevers (AHFs) requires relevant animal models that can recapitulate clinical and pathological features of AHF diseases in humans. Laboratory mice are generally resistant to LASV infection, and non-human primates, while being a good animal model for LF, are limited by their high cost. Here, we describe a small, affordable, and convenient animal model that is based on outbred Hartley guinea pigs infected with Pichinde virus (PICV), a mammarenavirus that is non-pathogenic in humans, for use as a surrogate model of human LF. We conducted a detailed analysis of tissue histopathology and immunohistochemical analysis of different organs of outbred Hartley guinea pigs infected with different PICV strains that show differential disease phenotypes and pathologies. Comparing to infection with the avirulent PICV strain (P2 or rP2), animals infected with the virulent strain (P18 or rP18) show extensive pathological changes in different organs that sustain high levels of virus replication. The similarity of tissue pathology and viral antigen distribution between the virulent PICV–guinea pig model and lethal human LASV infection supports a role of this small animal model as a surrogate model of studying human LF in order to understand its pathogenesis and for evaluating potential preventative and therapeutic options against AHFs.

Demanding of Lassa Fever: Reducing Its Risk as an Infectious Disease

In recent years, Lassa fever has been announced as an infectious disease in the world, a few imported cases have been accounted for in various pieces of the world and there are developing worries of the possibilities of Lassa fever Virus as an organic weapon. Regardless of its assaulting impact, no substantial arrangement has been created to reduce the hazard of the ailment, about a large portion of 10 years after identifying it. A Review based on the documents from the literature search on PubMed, Scopus, Goggle Scholar and Science direct. Out of these, the final 16 articles that met the criteria were selected. Relevant information on epidemiology, the burden of management and control were obtained. Timely and effective containment of the Lassa fever disease in Lassa village four decades ago could have minimized the devastating effect and threats posed by this illness in the West African sub-region and indeed the entire globe. That was a hard lesson calling for much more proactive measures towards the eradication of the illness at primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of health care. Hence, the paper is aimed at appraising the threats associated with Lassa fever disease; its demands on curtailing the menace of the epidemic, and recommendations on important focal points.

Prevalence and outcome of Lassa fever among hospitalized patients in Ebonyi State, Nigeria, 2018–2019

Lassa fever (LF) is a viral hemorrhagic illness endemic in West Africa. Annually, about 300,000–500,000 people are being infected, with about 5000 deaths. Symptoms of LF include high grade fever, headache, malaise, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or sore throat. Terminal features may include bleeding from all orifices (mouth, nose, ear, anus and vagina), facial and neck oedema or pleural effusion. People of all ages, gender, and occupations were included in this study. A total of 440 patients’ samples and Bio data were used for this study. The samples were analyzed for Lassa fever virus RNA using Real Time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 and version 7 of Epi-Info statistical software. Analysis of these samples showed LASV prevalence of 25.7%. Chi-square analysis (p ≤ 0.05) showed that LASV infection does not depend on age, gender, or occupation. Our research re-emphasized the fact that LASV is a serious cause of fatality in humans. Our data showed that among 327 negative patients, 19 died. On the contrary, 113 LASV confirmed positive cases had 42 deaths. This result is highly significant. More so, Lassa fever disease outcome was compared across gender. There was no significant difference between the two genders. Death or recovery from LF infection does not depend on sex. However, recovery from LF significantly depends on age of the patient. Fatal outcome is significantly higher among adults/elderly. We aim to raise awareness to the recurrence of LASV in Ebonyi State and urgent need for other medical interventions, including other therapeutic measures, and possible vaccine production, considering the impact of this virus.

Dynamical System Analysis and Optimal Control Measures of Lassa Fever Disease Model

Lassa fever is an animal-borne acute viral illness caused by the Lassa virus. This disease is endemic in parts of West Africa including Benin, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. We formulate a mathematical model for Lassa fever disease transmission under the assumption of a homogeneously mixed population. We highlighted the basic factors influencing the transmission of Lassa fever and also determined and analyzed the important mathematical features of the model. We extended the model by introducing various control intervention measures, like external protection, isolation, treatment, and rodent control. The extended model was analyzed and compared with the basic model by appropriate qualitative analysis and numerical simulation approach. We invoked the optimal control theory so as to determine how to reduce the spread of the disease with minimum cost.

Mathematical Modelling and Analysis of Transmission Dynamics of Lassa Fever

Sub-Saharan Africa harbours the majority of the burden of Lassa fever. Clinical diseases, as well as high seroprevalence, have been documented in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal, Upper Volta, Gambia, and Mali. Deaths from Lassa fever occur all year round but naturally peak during the dry season. Annually, the number of people infected is estimated at 100,000 to 300,000, with approximately 5,000 deaths. There have been some work done on the dynamics of Lassa fever disease transmission, but to the best of our knowledge, none has been able to capture the seasonal variation of Mastomys rodent population and its impact on the transmission dynamics. In this work, a periodically forced seasonal nonautonomous system of a nonlinear ordinary differential equation is developed that captures the dynamics of Lassa fever transmission and seasonal variation in the birth of Mastomys rodents where time was measured in days to capture seasonality. It was shown that the model is epidemiologically meaningful and mathematically well posed by using the results from the qualitative properties of the solution of the model. A time-dependent basic reproduction number RLt is obtained such that its yearly average is written as R˜L<1, when the disease does not invade the population (means that the number of infected humans always decreases in the seasons of transmission), and R˜L>1, when the disease remains constantly and is invading the population, and it was detected that R˜L≠RL. We also performed some evaluation of the Lassa fever disease intervention strategies using the elasticity of the equilibrial prevalence in order to predict the optimal intervention strategies that can be useful in guiding the local national control program on Lassa fever disease to make a proper decision on the intervention packages. Numerical simulations were carried out to illustrate the analytical results, and we found that the numerical simulations of the model showed that possible combined intervention strategies would reduce the spread of the disease. It was established that, to eliminate Lassa fever disease, treatments with ribavirin must be provided early to reduce mortality and other preventive measures like an educational campaign, community hygiene, isolation of infected humans, and culling/destruction of rodents must be applied to also reduce the morbidity of the disease. Finally, the obtained results gave a primary framework for planning and designing cost-effective strategies for good interventions in eliminating Lassa fever.

Factors associated with a confirmed Lassa fever outbreak in Eguare community of Esan West, Edo State, Nigeria: January-March, 2019

Background: Lassa fever disease is endemic in Edo State, Nigeria. A national upsurge in Lassa fever cases and death occurred in January 2019, with Eguare community in Esan West Local Government Area, Edo State having an unusual increase in number of reported cases. We investigated the outbreak to determine factors associated with being a confirmed Lassa fever case and the health seeking behaviour of the community members. Methods: We conducted an unmatched 1:4 case control study. We defined a confirmed case-patient as any person from Eguare community with febrile illness and PCR positive for Lassa fever between January and March, 2019; and control as anyone from Eguare community without febrile illness within the same period. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain data on exposures from both cases and controls. Univariate and bivariate analysis was done and confidence level set at 95%. Results: A total of 10 case-patients and 40 controls were recruited. The mean age of case-patients was 45.8years ± 15.2 and controls 35.6years ± 14.6. Forty percent of case-patients and 52.5% of controls were females. Having contact with suspected case-patients and having dumpsites close to homes (p<0.01) were associated with Lassa fever infection among case-patient. Eighty-six percent of the respondents would report at health facility if presented with febrile illness. Conclusion: Avoiding contact with a suspected Lassa fever case-patients and improved waste management system may prevent and interrupt the spread of Lassa fever virus.

Modelling and optimal control analysis of Lassa fever disease

Abstract Lassa fever is a severe hemorrhagic viral infection whose agents belong to Mastomys natelensis. Generally, humans contract Lassa virus through exposure to food or household products that have been contaminated with the excreta of the infected rodents. Lassa fever is endemic in some West African countries including Nigeria. A basic model is proposed to examine the transmission of the disease. The proposed model is subjected to qualitative study via the theory of differential equations and the threshold quantity that denotes the dominant eigenvalue was derived using next-generation matrix approach. The basic model is further extended to an optimal control model with four controls namely, the fumigation of the environment with pesticide, the use of condom to prevent human to human transmission during sexual activities, early treatment and the use of indoor residual spray. The theory of optimal control was explored to establish the necessary conditions for curtailing the transmission of Lassa fever. Numerical simulation was conducted and the results showed that if the Lassa fever transmission and spread were to be reduced significantly in the endemic region, all the control measures must be taken with all seriousness.

English

English

Community hygiene against lassa fever disease and its predictors in a Nigerian rural settlement

Abstract Background Lassa fever disease (LFD) is a viral haemorrhagic fever that is endemic in some West african countries where an estimated 300,000 to 500,000 cases and 5000 deaths occur yearly. The World Health Organization described it as a global health threat. At community level, its prevention relies on promoting good “community hygiene”. This study was conducted to assess practice of community hygiene measures against LFD and its associated factors. Methods A cross-sectional, community based descriptive study conducted during a LFD epidemic in a a rural community of Nigeria. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 556 adult respondents, selected using systematic random sampling technique. Data was analyzed using SPSS. Results A majority of the respondents were females (52.9%). Educational attainment was significantly associated with safe food storage at the multivariate level (aOR= 1.31, 95% CI: 1.10-1.54,P= 0.002) while having a good knowledge of LFD was a significant predictor of maintaining good housing standards (aOR= 3.73, 95% CI: 1.09-12.80,P=0.036). Conclusions Predictors of practice of community hygiene against LFD include education and having an excellent knowledge of LFD. To improve community hygiene practices in the community, there is need for a comprehensive LFD behavior change communication intervention. Key messages Cubing the global threat of LFD depends on its effective prevention in endemic West African communities. This study shows that such preventive measures are poor and there is need for more response to address the problem.

Mathematical Modeling and Stability Analyses of Lassa Fever Disease with the Introduction of the Carrier Compartment

In this paper, a new mathematical model which takes into account the human and vector populations together with their interactions during Lassa fever disease transmission was developed. This transmission process is denoted by a seven mutually exclusive compartments for the human and vector populations. The proposed model is used to introduce the incubation period of the disease, a period in which an infected individual is yet to be symptomatic but infectious however, as denoted by the carrier human compartment. This carrier compartment was critically examined for its short and long term effects on the spread and control of the disease. Local and global stability analyses of the equilibrium points of the model was carried out using the first generation matrix approach and the direct Lyapunov method respectively. These analyses showed that the disease free equilibrium point of the developed model is locally asymptotically stable but not globally asymptotically stable. It was also observed that, although, there exist a unique endemic equilibria for the disease, this equilibria however is not stable. Numerical simulations of the model were carried out by implementing the MATLAB ODE45 algorithm for solving non-stiff ordinary differential equations. The results of these simulations are the effects of the various model parameters on each compartment of the developed model. Based on the findings of this research, necessary recommendations were made for the applications of the model to an endemic area. Keywords: Mathematical Model, Stability Analyses, Lassa Fever, Equilibrium Points, Numerical Simulation. DOI : 10.7176/MTM/9-6-04 Publication date : June 30 th 2019

A Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) analysis of lassa fever media campaigns among residents of South-East Nigeria

Background: In as much as studies have been conducted on Lassa fever in Nigeria, the studies had no media angle and were carried out mainly in the Northern and Western regions of the country. This study examined how mass media intervention messages on Lassa fever have influenced the level of knowledge, attitudes and health practices of people living in South-East Nigeria towards controlling and eradicating this disease . Methods: The study adopted survey research design. Multi-stage sampling technique was used in selecting 428 respondents while structured questionnaire was used for data collection.Data analyzed was by descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation technique. Result: The level of exposure to and knowledge of Lassa fever media campaigns among South-East residents were high as confirmed by 90% and 51.1% respectively of the responses. Media campaigns against Lassa fever positively influenced the attitudes of 56.3% of the respondents towards prevention and control of this disease.There is positive significant relationship (0.93 with 0.01 level of significant) between exposure level to Lassa fever media campaigns and knowledge level of the disease among South-East residents. Conclusion: Mass media campaigns aimed at sensitizing the public on Lassa fever disease was adjudged effective. There is also need to employ more of interpersonal communication strategies to enhance effective delivery of this health messages.

Preventing Lassa Fever Disease through Effective Health Communication in Nigeria

Health communication is known to provide information about diseases and their prevention. Lassa fever which is an epidemic prone disease caused by the Lassa virus has claimed lives in different parts of Nigeria since 2015. Despite Lassa fever awareness among people, majority seem not to be adept with the preventive measures. Hence, people still get infected. The methodology used was survey method, having questionnaire as the research instrument administering 854 of them to respondents that were randomly chosen in Ekiti and Ondo State. Findings revealed that respondents adopted washing of hands daily than eating well cooked food, and preference for being clean for the prevention of Lassa fever. The study concludes that an increase in health communication messages on Lassa fever would result in improved behaviour of respondents towards the infection. The study recommends that other preventive measures on Lassa fever should not be sidelined

Using Sird Mathematical Model Track the Spread of Lassa fever on a Multicity Network of Nigeria

This paper develops a mathematical model for the dynamics of Lassa fever disease using a set of four differential equations for the susceptible human, infected human, recovered human and dead human. The model is mathematically and epidemiologically well posed and then investigate the model for equilibrium and stability. Core to the research analysis is the computation of a threshold value; the basic spread of disease from different state in Nigeria which is the number of secondary infections due to introduction of an infective individual into a susceptible population. This research analysis shows that the disease will spread faster in Nigeria when started from Lagos and Kano state of Nigeria.

Diagnostics for Lassa Fever: Detecting Host Antibody Responses.

There are two types of viral diagnostics: (1) those that detect components of the pathogen (like viral RNA or proteins) and (2) those that detect host molecules that rise or fall as a consequence of pathogen infection (like anti-viral antibodies or virus-induced inflammatory cytokines). Quantitative PCR to detect Lassa RNA, and clinical chemistry to detect high liver enzymes (AST/ALT) are commonly used to diagnose Lassa fever. Here, we discuss the various types of diagnostics for Lassa fever and the urgent need for early diagnosis. We also describe a protocol for using the attenuated Lassa vaccine candidate, ML29 , as an antigen for detecting Lassa-specific antibodies. Since antibodies are developed late in the progression of Lassa fever disease, this is not an early diagnostic, but is more useful in surveillance of the population to determine the sero-prevalence of antibodies to Lassa virus (LASV ), and to define treatment options for people in close contact with a Lassa-infected person.

Knowledge and perceived implication of lassa fever among residents of Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Kwara State Nigeria

This study investigated the knowledge and perceived implication of Lassa fever among residents of Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Kwara State. The major occupation of the residents of Oke-Ero is farming. During the dry season, some farmers make use of bush burning method as a mean of clearing their lands, during which many of the rats from the bushes find their ways to neighbourhood houses to hide for safety. This gives them access to food stuffs kept by the residents. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether the residents of Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Kwara State have knowledge of transmission of Lassa fever and determine whether death is a perceived implication of Lassa fever among the residents of Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Kwara State. A descriptive research design was adopted for the study. The population for the study comprised of all the residents of Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Kwara State. Multi-stage sampling technique consisting of simple random, proportionate and convenience sampling techniques was used to select a sample size of four hundred and two (402) respondents for the study. A researcher-designed questionnaire validated by three (3) experts from the Department of Health Promotion and Environmental. Health Education, University of Ilorin, Nigeria was used for the data collection. Split half method was used to ascertain the reliability of the instrument. A correlation coefficient (r) of 0.70 was obtained through the use of Cronbach alpha. Data collection was conducted by the researcher and three trained research assistants. Inferential statistics of Chi-square (χ2) was used to analyse the postulated null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance, using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0 software. The findings of the study showed that residents of Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Kwara State significantly have knowledge on the transmission of Lassa fever. This was because cal. χ2 value (586.90) is greater than critical value (7.82). Death is significantly perceived as implication of Lassa fever among the residents of Oke-Ero Local Government Area, Kwara State. This was because cal. χ2 value (271.41) is greater than critical value (16.92). Based on the findings, it was concluded that residents of Oke-Ero Local Government Area Kwara State have knowledge of the transmission of Lassa fever, and death is perceived as implication of Lassa fever among the residents of Oke-Ero Local Government area Kwara State. Therefore, the researcher recommended that residents should not leave food items open, so as not to give rats access to their food and cultivate the habit of cleanliness. It is also recommended that, further knowledge on Lassa fever and implication should be intensified and campaigns and health education should be carried out to improve the knowledge of residents about the Lassa fever disease.