The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Lassa Fever International Conference commenced on Monday in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The four-day event, organised by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), is themed “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases.”
Building on the first Lassa Fever International Conference held in Abuja in 2019, this second edition features plenary sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and research presentations. It is also expected to produce a regional roadmap aimed at improving access to diagnostics, vaccines, and coordinated disease control efforts.
LIC 2025 seeks to drive multi-sectoral collaboration and promote long-term solutions for Lassa fever and broader health security challenges. The conference brings together regional and global stakeholders to advance research, enhance preparedness, and strengthen outbreak response across West Africa.
The inaugural conference in Abuja in 2019 coincided with the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the Lassa fever virus in a Nigerian town. That milestone was used as a platform to bring together researchers and practitioners from across the world to review global efforts in controlling the disease.
Participants at the Abuja conference stressed the importance of integrating human, animal, and environmental health perspectives for a comprehensive strategy, given the interconnectedness of these factors in the spread of the disease. Strong calls were made for increased research into diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines, with the goal of strengthening prevention, response, and control activities.
Delegates also highlighted the need for enhanced surveillance systems and laboratory capacity to ensure timely and accurate Lassa fever diagnosis, among other critical measures.
