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Local Knowledge of Land Use Effects on Human-Rodent Interfaces in Lassa-Endemic Nigeria
Christina Harden1,2, Sunday Eziechina3, Nzube Michael Ifebueme4
1Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, 216 Susan Welch Building, 137 Fischer Road, University Park, PA, 16803, USA.
Ecohealth
|July 9, 2026
Summary
Human settlement and farming practices influence rodent interactions, impacting Lassa fever (LF) risk in Nigeria. Understanding these patterns is key to controlling LF transmission in affected communities.
Area of Science:
- Environmental science
- Epidemiology
- One Health
Background:
- Lassa fever (LF) is a significant public health concern endemic to West Africa.
- The disease is caused by Lassa virus (LASV), hosted by Mastomys spp. rodents.
- Rural communities face a disproportionate burden of LF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how human settlement patterns and agricultural land use affect perceptions of Mastomys spp. populations and human-rodent interactions.
- To explore these dynamics in Lassa fever-endemic areas of Nigeria.
- To identify potential pathways for LASV transmission related to human activities.
Main Methods:
- Utilized participatory rural appraisal (PRA) across three diverse Nigerian sites.
- Summarized landcover, agricultural practices, and human land use patterns.
- Identified types and frequency of human interactions with Mastomys spp. rodents.
Main Results:
- Consistent perceptions of Mastomys spp. ecology and human-rodent contact were reported across sites.
- Increased rodent activity was linked to seasonal land clearing and rice harvests.
- Rodent movement between fields and homes varied with settlement types, especially where homes intersperse farmland.
- Contact frequency and type differed based on gendered agricultural roles, highlighting potential LASV transmission routes.
Conclusions:
- Human settlement and agricultural practices significantly mediate rodent reservoir dynamics and human-rodent interfaces.
- These factors influence Lassa fever exposure risk within and across endemic regions.
- Findings underscore the importance of considering socio-ecological factors in LF prevention strategies.
