Nosocomial Outbreak of Lassa Fever in Conakry, Guinea, 2022.

BACKGROUND

Lassa fever is endemic in Guinea, with high seroprevalence in the forest region. However, clinical cases have been only anecdotally reported. In August 2022, a nosocomial outbreak occurred at a private clinic in the capital, Conakry, an area previously considered low risk.

METHODS

Suspected cases were confirmed by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction within 24 hours. Viremia was monitored during hospitalization, and whole-genome sequencing was performed in-country within 13 days of outbreak detection. Outbreak investigation involved rodent testing in the home village of the suspected primary case.

RESULTS

Six cases were laboratory-confirmed, 5 of which were healthcare workers of the clinic. The case fatality rate was 16.7%. Viral RNA remained detectable in blood of survivors for a median of 26 days (interquartile range, 24-41 days) post-disease onset. Epidemiological investigations identified a suspected primary case, who had died of a febrile disease compatible with Lassa fever, had contact with all secondary cases, and had a travel history from Kissidougou area. Three near-complete and 1 partial Lassa virus genomes were recovered from the secondary cases, which phylogenetically clustered with genomes from central Guinea. Consistent with a common transmission source, the 4 genomes were almost identical. Rodent testing revealed a new reservoir area in eastern-central Guinea.

CONCLUSIONS

This outbreak highlights the vulnerability of healthcare settings in low-prevalence areas of West Africa to nosocomial Lassa virus transmission due to human mobility. Facilitated by capacity-building programs for viral hemorrhagic fevers, rapid diagnosis, genomic analysis, and ecological assessment enabled an efficient outbreak response and control.