Lassa fever: Can community efforts eliminate rodent habitats, control Mastomys rats?

Lassa fever: Can community efforts eliminate rodent habitats, control Mastomys rats?

Across Nigeria, countless families have lost loved ones to Lassa fever–a disease transmitted to humans by exposure to food or items contaminated with urine or feces of infected Mastomys rats.

The disease is not just a health crisis; it is a community problem that requires collective action.

Data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) indicates that as of Oct. 13, 2024, Nigeria has recorded 8,569 suspected Lassa fever cases, with 1,035 confirmed and 174 deaths across 28 states and 129 Local Government Areas.

34-year-old Mrs Hauwa Ibrahim has a sad tale.

Ibrahim, a cassava farmer, said her life was moving at a steady pace in her small community in Akwanga, Nasarawa State.

As a mother of three, Ibrahim said that she has mastered the art of balancing farming, household chores and caring for her children.

She said in January 2023, everything changed.

“My husband developed a fever that wouldn’t go away; at first, we thought it was malaria; then, came persistent vomiting, bleeding gums, and unbearable body weakness.

“Our health centre referred us to the specialist hospital in Lafia, where Musa was diagnosed with Lassa fever.

“Within days, his condition worsened and before the family could process what was happening, he was gone.’’

Medical practitioners  told the Ibrahim that the Lassa virus had likely entered their home through contaminated food or household items—brought in by Mastomys Natalensis, the rat species notorious for spreading the disease.

“I never imagined something as small as a rat could destroy my family.”

The Mastomys natalensis, commonly known as the multimammate rat, thrives in environments with poor sanitation, exposed food and unsealed entry points into homes.

These rodents, often mistaken for harmless house rats, are the primary carriers of the Lassa virus.

Their urine and droppings contaminate food and household surfaces, creating a deadly but often invisible health hazard.

According to Dr Patrick Nguku, AFENET, Regional Coordinator, Lassa fever remains a major public health challenge due to its high fatality rate and the difficulty in controlling rodent populations.

Nguku, a field epidemiologist and disease surveillance expert, gave further insights.

“Unlike other diseases that spread mainly from human to human, Lassa fever originates from rodents, making prevention strategies different. We need a long-term, community-driven approach to eliminate these habitats,” Nguku explained.

NCDC reports that Nigeria records thousands of Lassa fever cases annually, with high fatality rates.

Despite this, awareness of the disease remains low in many rural areas, where traditional practices and poor hygiene increase exposure risks.

Ibrahim’s story has since become a rallying cry in Akwanga.

Determined not to let another family suffer as she did, she has joined a local women’s group that is taking proactive steps to eliminate rodent habitats and reduce community exposure to Lassa fever.

“We started by cleaning up our homes and surroundings.

“We now store grains in sealed containers, dispose of waste properly and ensure that our kitchens and food stores are rat-proof, ‘’she said.

Similar grassroots initiatives are taking shape across the country.

In Edo, market women have launched a cleanliness campaign to ensure proper food storage in local markets.

In Taraba , religious leaders are playing a crucial role in health education, incorporating hygiene messages in church sermons and mosque teachings.

In Jos, Plateau, a youth-led initiative called “Rodent-Free Homes” is educating schoolchildren on simple but effective measures—proper waste disposal, sealing cracks in homes, storing food in rodent-proof containers and encouraging responsible bush burning to prevent rodent migration.

Dr Sewese Atom, a public health expert, underlined that the efforts were crucial.

“The most effective Lassa fever interventions do not start in hospitals; they start in homes and markets, where food is stored and waste is disposed of.

“If we can improve hygiene at the grassroots level, we can significantly reduce the spread of this disease,’’ Atom said.

One of the most inspiring success stories comes from a small village in Ondo State, once a hot spot for Lassa fever.

Through a combination of aggressive waste management, rodent-proofing homes and widespread education campaigns, the village has not reported a single Lassa fever case in the last three years.

Dr Charity Afolabi, a medical researcher studying the village’s approach, has a soothing story.

“This community’s success shows that simple behavioural changes can have long-term impacts; we need to replicate this model across Nigeria,” she said.

Despite these efforts, Afolabi said that cultural beliefs and traditional practices continue to pose challenges.

In some parts of Nigeria, eating bush meat, including rats, is common.

Dr Dennis Nna, an infectious disease specialist, regretted that some people still trapped and ate rodents.

Nna said that such practice increased their risk of direct exposure to the virus.

“It is a practice that is difficult to change overnight,’’ Nna said.

Superstitions also play a role.

Some communities believe that seeing a rat in the home is a sign of prosperity, discouraging them from killing the rodents.

Health workers are partnering with traditional rulers to challenge these myths and encourage behaviour change.

Chief Okon Udo, a community leader in the FCT, has taken it upon himself to dispel these beliefs.

“We now tell people that true prosperity comes from good health, not from rats in their homes,” Udo said.

While community efforts are crucial, the fight against Lassa fever also requires stronger government interventions.

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Observers say without grassroots participation, these interventions alone cannot stop the spread of Lassa fever.

The NCDC says it is intensifying surveillance, improving early diagnosis and strengthening rodent control programmes.

Dr Jide Idris , NCDC Director-General, said that Lassa fever was preventable, but only if communities took responsibility for keeping their environments clean and rodent-free.

“The Federal Government, in collaboration with NCDC, has bolstered efforts in surveillance, public awareness and environmental management to mitigate the impact of Lassa fever.

“The rising number of states reporting cases is attributed to improved detection, climate effects, and other environmental factors,’’ he said.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and Africa Africa Centres for Disease Control have also called for stronger multisectoral collaboration to tackle Lassa fever at its source.

They say such synergy entails expanding research on potential vaccines and treatment, strengthening early warning systems and increasing funding for community-led sanitation projects

Lately, Ibrahim has turned her personal tragedy into a mission; ensuring that no other family in Akwanga has to go through what she did.

With the support of her community, she continues to spread awareness about rodent control and Lassa fever prevention.

Health experts say community-led initiatives are key to eliminating rodent habitats and reducing exposure to Mastomys natalensis.

They say while medical treatments and government policies play a role, real change in combatting Lassa fever begins with simple actions– clean homes, sealed food and active community participation.