The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through its health agency, the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), has urged researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals to strengthen regional health security against Lassa fever and other emerging infectious diseases. The call was made in a statement on Friday, as WAHO announced the second Lassa Fever International Conference, scheduled for September 2025 in Côte d’Ivoire.
Themed ‘Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases’, the conference aims to enhance outbreak management, research capacity, and multisectoral collaboration across the region.
Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic disease endemic to West Africa, continues to pose a significant health threat, particularly in Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. In 2025 alone, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported 506 confirmed cases and 95 deaths. Despite being classified as a priority disease by the World Health Organisation (WHO), recurring outbreaks underscore weaknesses in the region’s health systems.
WAHO Director-General, Dr. Melchior Aissi, warned that climate change could put up to 600 million people at risk of Lassa fever, emphasizing the need for sustainable preparedness and cross-border collaboration. “No single country can fight Lassa fever alone. We must work together, sharing data, resources, and expertise, to ensure a more effective and coordinated response,” he said.
Dr. Katrin Ramsauer, Lassa Disease Programme Lead at the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), highlighted the importance of the conference in shaping future research and response strategies. “This event will provide a platform to discuss vaccine development, community surveillance, and financing mechanisms, which are critical to controlling Lassa fever,” she stated.
The 2025 conference will build on the foundation laid by the first edition hosted by NCDC in 2019. It will bring together health leaders, researchers, and stakeholders to address key challenges and opportunities in combating Lassa fever and other infectious diseases.
DAILY MENTOR reports that the conference underscores the urgent need for regional cooperation in tackling health threats that transcend national borders. By fostering collaboration and innovation, ECOWAS aims to strengthen health systems and improve outcomes for millions of people across West Africa.
The event is expected to serve as a catalyst for actionable strategies and partnerships, ensuring a more resilient and prepared region in the face of emerging infectious diseases.