Lassa Virus in Pygmy Mice, Benin, 2016-2017

Emerg Infect Dis. 2019 Oct;25(10):1977-1979. doi: 10.3201/eid2510.180523. Epub 2019 Oct 17.

Abstract

Lassa virus has been identified in 3 pygmy mice, Mus baoulei, in central Benin. The glycoprotein and nucleoprotein sequences cluster with the Togo strain. These mice may be a new reservoir for Lassa virus in Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Benin
  • Disease Reservoirs / virology
  • Humans
  • Lassa Fever / epidemiology
  • Lassa Fever / veterinary*
  • Lassa virus* / genetics
  • Mice / virology*
  • Phylogeny
  • Rats / virology
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction