In a show of its steadfast dedication to combating Lassa fever, Nigeria is set to host a regional summit focused on developing a vaccine for the disease, a viral hemorrhagic disease that has long posed a significant Public Health challenge across West Africa. The event, scheduled to hold on the 15th of January, will gather experts and officials from across West Africa to accelerate efforts in combating the deadly disease, which remains endemic in Nigeria. The decision to host this high-level gathering in Nigeria demonstrates the country’s high level of commitment to tackling the disease.
By bringing together researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and regional partners, the summit is aimed to expedite efforts, fortify healthcare systems, and promote regional cooperation. Participants will examine recent developments in vaccine research, investigate funding options, and develop frameworks for expanding vaccine production in order to satisfy the requirements of impacted groups. The Nigerian government, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and other international organizations, has always remained steadfast in its commitment to eradicate Lassa fever.
Lassa fever is endemic in several West African countries.
Also, Nigeria made significant strides in the fight against Lassa Fever in 2024, with participation in the first-ever Phase 2 Lassa fever vaccine clinical trial, sponsored by AVI. Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health, highlighted the significance of cooperation between sectors and governments to enhance health outcomes as well as Nigeria’s leadership in Lassa fever research. He underlined the links between social welfare, education, and health, emphasizing collaborations with other ministries to tackle public health concerns like maternal mortality and cholera.
These initiatives are in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places a high priority on health and Social Protection as important determinants of national welfare. Since its first breakout in Nigeria in 1969, Lassa fever has continued to be a persistent health problem, especially during the dry season. Human-to-human transmission of the virus occurs, particularly in healthcare settings, and is mainly disseminated via contact with food or household objects contaminated with rat excreta. The disease is endemic in several West African countries, notably Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, with sporadic outbreaks reported across the region.
Mounting toll of the disease and the urgent need for action.
Each year, Lassa fever infects between 100,000 and 300,000 people, leading to approximately 5,000 deaths in the region. Rural populations are disproportionately affected by the disease due to their limited access to healthcare services and frequent experience of delays in early detection and treatment. Beyond the death toll, Lassa fever has a negative impact on economies and overburdens healthcare systems. As the country with the highest disease burden, annual outbreaks in Nigeria strain the already overburdened healthcare system and highlight how urgently a vaccine must be developed.
Considering its huge adverse effects in the country over the years, Nigeria hopes to leverage this summit to strengthen its efforts to fight and eradicate Lassa fever in order to safeguard public health, lower death rates, and lessen the socioeconomic costs related to the disease. The country also aims to establish a strong framework for tackling the disease’s underlying causes by utilizing the expertise and resources of international health organizations, academic institutions, and regional players.
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Other regional governments’ engagement also demonstrated their resolve to tackle the disease, a manifestation of a move toward preventative measures and highlighting the significance of concerted efforts to fight endemic diseases. With Nigeria spearheading the vaccine research effort, the summit serves as a call to action for more international cooperation and collaborations to eradicate the Lassa fever menace in the region. The outcomes of the summit are expected to set the stage for accelerated vaccine development and a coordinated approach to tackling the disease across West Africa.