Zekun Wang, Na Zeng
WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?: Lassa fever has been increasingly transmitted from endemic West African regions via global migration; however, its macro-level transmission network and behavioral drivers remain uncharacterized.
WHAT IS ADDED BY THIS REPORT?: We constructed a historical cross-border transmission network that revealed two distinct modes: air-travel-dependent intercontinental spread and land-dependent regional spread. Secondary human-to-human transmission is rare across all scenarios and relies critically on robust local infection prevention and control.
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE?: We recommend a shift from uniform border measures to precision- and scenario-based interventions. Enhancing targeted syndromic screening and local early warning capacities at the identified network hubs and bridge countries could optimize resource allocation and prevent outbreaks.