The West African Health Organisation (WAHO), a specialised health agency of Economic Community of West African States, has called on researchers, policymakers, and medical professionals to step up efforts in combating Lassa fever and other infectious diseases threatening the region’s health security.
WAHO made this appeal in a statement on Friday, March 7, while announcing the second Lassa Fever International Conference, set to take place in Côte d’Ivoire in September 2025.
With the theme “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases,” the event aims to improve research efforts, enhance outbreak response, and foster collaboration across sectors to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
WAHO emphasised that while the World Health Organisation (WHO) categorises Lassa fever as a priority disease, regional responses have often been short-term, with containment efforts failing to prevent future outbreaks.
It stressed the need for a more sustainable approach focused on research, coordination, and resilient healthcare infrastructure.
“Building on the foundation laid during the first edition hosted by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control in Abuja in 2019, the 2025 edition will bring together policymakers, researchers, healthcare professionals, and key stakeholders to foster regional coordination, share scientific progress, including promising Lassa vaccine candidates entering clinical trials, and shape a more sustainable and collaborative approach to Lassa fever prevention and control across West Africa,” WAHO stated.
“No country can single-handedly tackle Lassa fever or other emerging infectious diseases, especially in a world where globalisation and frequent travel have accelerated cross-border disease transmission.
“By sharing data, resources, and expertise, nations can significantly enhance their response capabilities and minimise the impact of such outbreaks,” it added.
WAHO’s Director-General, Dr Melchior AÏSSI, warned that climate change could dramatically increase the risk of Lassa fever infections in the future.
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“Lassa fever remains a persistent threat to our populations, severely impacting our lives, health, and economic systems.
“Endemic in several West African countries, it causes between 100,000 and 300,000 infections each year, with around 5,000 deaths.
“Recent predictions indicate that factors such as climate change could put up to 600 million people at risk of contracting Lassa fever. This projection underlines the need for increased vigilance and preparedness,” he said.
Dr Katrin Ramsauer, Lassa Disease Programme Lead at the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), emphasised the significance of continued research and international collaboration in controlling the disease.
“The world has made great progress in recent years in the fight against Lassa fever. This upcoming conference is an important moment for scientists and global health experts to come together, under WAHO’s leadership, to both share new knowledge about the disease and spot the remaining research gaps where we need to act.
“Their discussions will help shape the Lassa fever research agenda in years to come, which is set to have a direct impact on our future response to Lassa fever outbreaks – now becoming larger and more frequent as climate change and population growth in the region continue,” Ramsauer stated.
Lassa fever is a haemorrhagic disease endemic to West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.
Despite ongoing containment efforts, outbreaks continue to expose weaknesses in healthcare systems.
In 2025 alone, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported 506 confirmed cases out of 2,492 suspected infections, resulting in 95 deaths.