Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40356840›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in public health2025

The epidemiology of Lassa fever in Ghana: a study on the 2023 Lassa fever outbreak in Ghana.

Kwasi Atweri Akowuah, Magdalene Sarah Ofori, Deborah Pratt, Abigail Abankwa, Evelyn Yayra Bonney, Nancy Enimil, Eric Odei, Theodore Worlanyo Asigbee, Dennis Laryea, Prince Ketorwoley and 12 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

22 authors.

Kwasi Atweri AkowuahDepartment of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Magdalene Sarah OforiDepartment of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Deborah PrattDepartment of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Abigail AbankwaDepartment of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Evelyn Yayra BonneyDepartment of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Nancy EnimilDepartment of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Eric OdeiKorle Bu Teaching Hospital, Public Health Division, Accra, Ghana.
Theodore Worlanyo AsigbeeDepartment of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Dennis LaryeaGhana Health Service, Public Health Division, Accra, Ghana.
Prince KetorwoleyDepartment of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Juliana Naa Dedei Acquah AmaningDepartment of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Maame Serwaa BoapeaDepartment of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Stella BourDepartment of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Sally-Ann OheneWorld Health Organization (WHO) Country Office, Accra, Ghana.
Patrick AvevorWorld Health Organization (WHO) Country Office, Accra, Ghana.
John Kofi OdoomDepartment of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Franklin Asiedu-BekoeGhana Health Service, Public Health Division, Accra, Ghana.
Patrick Kuma-AboagyeGhana Health Service, Public Health Division, Accra, Ghana.
Francis Chisaka KasoloWorld Health Organization (WHO) Country Office, Accra, Ghana.
Benjamin AbuakuDepartment of Epidemiology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Dorothy Yeboah-ManuDepartment of Bacteriology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
Joseph Humphrey Kofi BonneyDepartment of Virology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.

Funding

World Health Organization 001
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Viral disease outbreak remains a key public health concern given its impact on life and livelihood. Historical data suggests Lassa fever is endemic in several West African countries with sporadic cases occurring elsewhere in the region. In February 2023, Ghana recorded its second outbreak of Lassa fever following that of 2011. The present study sought to document the epidemiology of the recent outbreak in Ghana. Methods: The study used data from the case investigation forms accompanying samples submitted to Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research between February and March 2023 for Lassa fever testing. Descriptive analysis was used to analyse and report the demographic characteristics. Inferential statistics was used to determine associations between the study variables. Results: The overall positivity rate was 5.19% out of the 539 samples received. Most cases were confirmed in the Month of February. Positivity rate was higher among females (5.65%). Over 90% of all confirmed cases were from the Greater Accra Region. Case burden for LF was highest among healthcare professionals and also adults aged 25-35 years. The commonly reported symptoms among confirmed cases included headache, intense fatigue, fever, and muscle/joint pain. Conclusion: Lassa fever was confirmed among 5.19% of the suspected cases. Transmission was largely through contact with the highest burden among healthcare workers which is suggestive of poor infection control procedures. There is a need to build and sustain fundamental public health capacities to recognise, diagnose, report, and respond to risks of public health concern and interest.

Indexed as

Disease OutbreaksLassa FeverAdolescentAdultAgedChildChild, PreschoolFemaleGhanaHumansInfantMaleMiddle AgedYoung AdultGhanaLassa feverLassa fever outbreakLassa fever transmissionsub-Saharan AfricaWest Africa

Identifiers

PMID40356840
PMCPMC12066525

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.