New Research to Combat Lassa Fever in West Africa
In a significant step towards understanding and combating Lassa fever, a new research initiative led by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and other partners is set to commence in October. The research aims to evaluate the incidence, symptoms, and co-infections of Lassa fever with malaria in West Africa.
The CEPI has invested over $250 million in Lassa fever research since 2017, with a focus on developing a vaccine against the deadly disease. The new research, known as the Enable 1.5 cohort study, will involve 5,000 healthy individuals, including children and infants, across Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.
According to CEPI’s Director of Epidemiology and Data Science, Gabrielle Breugelmans, the research will provide valuable insights that can improve diagnosis, boost outbreak preparedness, and inform future vaccine development. "Through deeper investigations into the variations of Lassa fever symptoms and their comparison to other prevalent infections within the region, we will obtain valuable insights that can improve diagnosis, boost outbreak preparedness, and inform the future vaccine development," she noted.
CEPI CEO, Richard Hatchett, emphasized the importance of understanding Lassa fever’s true incidence rate to inform future response. "Incomplete detection of Lassa fever cases hampers our understanding of the disease’s true incidence rate, affecting resource allocation," he said.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Jide Idris, praised the study as a vital step in Nigeria’s fight against Lassa fever. "This research will improve our capacity to identify and recognise cases, preparing us for future vaccine development by examining the disease’s symptoms and its connection to other infections," he said.
Lassa fever, first identified in Nigeria in 1969, remains a significant public health challenge in West Africa, causing periodic outbreaks. As of 15 September, NCDC data shows that Nigeria has recorded a total of 1,005 confirmed cases and 170 deaths from Lassa fever in 2024. The disease has been reported in 28 states across 128 local government areas (LGAs), with 67 per cent of all confirmed cases reported from Ondo, Edo, and Bauchi, and 33 per cent from 25 other states.
The Enable 1.5 cohort study is a major research initiative designed to combat Lassa fever and its impact on public health in West Africa. The study’s findings are expected to provide valuable insights that can inform future vaccine development and improve outbreak preparedness in the region.
