Optimizing Lassa Fever Outbreak Control: A Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Contact Tracing Integration in Epidemiological Models

Optimizing Lassa Fever Outbreak Control: A Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Contact Tracing Integration in Epidemiological Models | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Optimizing Lassa Fever Outbreak Control: A Comparative Study on the Efficacy of Contact Tracing Integration in Epidemiological Models Bolarinwa Olumide Ajala, Adebowale Olusola Adejumo, Joseph Adekunle Akinyemi, and 4 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-5260875/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Lassa fever, an acute viral hemorrhagic illness endemic to West Africa, presents significant public health challenges because of its high mortality rate and potential for rapid spread. Accurate models are crucial for effective outbreak management and resource allocation. As such, this study examines the modelling of Lassa fever transmission through a comparative analysis of two epidemiological models: one incorporating contact tracing and the other without. By integrating epidemiological data and mathematical models, contact tracing and noncontact tracing are performed to investigate the dynamics of the Lassa fever model through reproduction number (R 0). The uniqueness of the solution is tested and confirmed via an invariant property, and through the next generation matrix, the reproduction number is determined. Our findings indicate that the model with integrated contact tracing significantly enhances early detection, reduces the number of secondary infections, and provides a more precise understanding of transmission dynamics. This model also supports more efficient allocation of healthcare resources and bolsters public confidence in health interventions. In contrast, the model without contact tracing tends to underestimate the spread of the virus and fails to optimize resource deployment. The comparative analysis underscores the importance of incorporating contact tracing into Lassa fever models, highlighting its critical role in controlling outbreaks, reducing transmission , and improving public health outcomes. This research advocates the widespread adoption of contact tracing in the modelling and management of Lassa fever and similar infectious diseases. Contact tracing Haemorrhagic fever Lassa fever Epidemiological data Public health outcomes Transmission dynamics Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-5260875","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":368107295,"identity":"04631f1a-93a8-4937-aff1-bc3ddd793981","order_by":0,"name":"Bolarinwa Olumide 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