In the absence of vaccine, rodent control has been thought to be the best way to control the Lassa disease. Broadly, control methods could fit into four categories: Infrastructure (housing and food storage), biological (animals), chemical (poisons etc.) or traps. Rodent control methodologies can include actions within the domestic sphere and outside of the home in the surrounding bush. The prevalence of each method and their relative success in reducing rodent exposure requires further study. Control methods may also differ because of the way animals are classified. Previous research has shown that rodents found outside of villages may be acceptable to hunt for food, whereas the same rodents found within the village may not be due to an association with disease. An individual’s access to different rodent control methods is often dependant on either the wares stocked in local periodic markets or their ability to frequently travel to larger markets further away. The cost per unit and ease of transportation of different rodent control methods may also affect their dissemination into the rural markets.
