Lassa Fever: a Summary for Clinicians

On this episode of Transmission Interrupted, we welcome Dr. Jared Evans, Dr. Aneesh Mehta, and Dr. Vanessa Rabbe—members of NETEC’s Special Pathogen Research Network—to discuss their recent manuscript entitled, “Lassa Virus Infection: a Summary for Clinicians.” Developed from a clinical perspective, this manuscript provides clinicians with a condensed, accessible understanding of the current literature on Lassa virus (LASV) infection and Lassa fever disease (LF). The topics discussed in this episode will provide basic information on Lassa virus and Lassa fever, and will highlight pathogenesis, clinical features, and medical countermeasures that have demonstrated potential value for use in clinical or research environments.

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AuthorsDr. Jared Evans, PhD

Dr. Jared Evans is a senior staff scientist whose expertise in virology includes over twenty years of experience in basic and applied research. He currently focuses on applications and response to investigate high-priority pathogens, including dengue and influenza viruses, with an emphasis on single-cell assays, genomics, and novel molecular tools. His responsibilities include leading projects in virology, molecular biology, and genomics and coordinating with partners to reach technical goals. Dr. Evans is also an assistant professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine in the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Additional areas of expertise include microfluidics and molecular/synthetic biology.

Dr. Aneesh Mehta, MD, FIDSA, FAST

Aneesh Mehta is a Professor of Medicine and of Surgery at Emory University School of Medicine, and also serves as the Chief of Infectious Diseases Services and Assistant Director of Transplant Infectious Diseases at Emory University Hospital. He is a board-certified infectious diseases physician, who received an MD from the University of Oklahoma and completed Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases training at Emory University.

Aneesh has been one of the core physicians of the Emory Serious Communicable Diseases Unit (SCDU) since 2009. He was admitted physician for Emory’s first patient with Ebola Virus Disease and was highly involved in care of the four patients with EVD, one patient with Lassa Fever, and several PUIs cared for by the Emory SCDU. During the Ebola activation, Aneesh was involved in all aspects of unit management, patient care, laboratory handling, and research.

Aneesh is a co-Principal Investigator at NETEC. He also has been involved in the development of the Special Pathogens Research Network Biorepository and evaluation of Medical Countermeasures.

Vanessa N. Raabe, MD

Adult and Pediatric Infectious Disease Physician

NYU Grossman School of Medicine

Resources

Lassa Virus Infection: a Summary for Clinicians: https://www.ijidonline.com/article/S1201-9712(22)00205-3/fulltext

NETEC Resource Library: https://repository.netecweb.org

About NETECA Partnership for Preparedness

The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center’s mission is to set the gold standard for special pathogen preparedness and response across health systems in the U.S. with the goals of driving best practices, closing knowledge gaps, and developing innovative resources.

Our vision is a sustainable infrastructure and culture of readiness for managing suspected and confirmed special pathogen incidents across the United States public health and health care delivery systems.

For more information visit NETEC on the web at www.netec.org.

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NETEC offers free virtual and onsite readiness consulting to help health care facilities and EMS agencies prepare for special pathogen events. Our targeted support services are delivered by experts selected and assigned to each inquiry based on the unique needs of your organization. Have a question? Ask a NETEC expert.

For more information visit: netec.org/consulting-services.