Efforts to combat Lassa fever in Nigeria have received a significant boost as the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), in collaboration with the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), and the International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE), launched a major research initiative in Bauchi State aimed at supporting the development of an effective vaccine and strengthening disease surveillance.
The Executive Director and Principal Investigator of IRCE/IHVN, Professor Alash’le Abimiku, disclosed this during a press briefing themed “Learning from Lassa Fever Survivors,” held at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital.
Professor Abimiku explained that the 12-month study, titled Identification and Immunologic Characterization of Adult Lassa Fever Survivors in Nigeria, seeks to understand the immune responses of people who have survived the disease.
According to her, the research is being conducted through the International Research Center of Excellence in partnership with ATBUTH and the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
She said the findings will provide critical scientific evidence to support the development and evaluation of future Lassa fever vaccines. The project will also engage affected communities to reduce infection risks while establishing a repository of clinical data and biological samples for future research.
Professor Abimiku noted that the study will generate locally relevant evidence capable of strengthening vaccine development efforts and ultimately reducing deaths associated with Lassa fever.
“The study looks at patients who survived Lassa fever to understand their immunity, engage communities to change their practices toward rodents, and also train clinicians to recognize Lassa fever symptoms early.”
The Chief Medical Officer of ATBUTH, Professor Jibril Yusuf Bara, stressed the need for increased public awareness of Lassa fever prevention, noting that Bauchi State has experienced a rise in reported cases and that an effective vaccine is urgently needed.
He added that the collaboration aligns with one of the hospital’s core mandates of promoting research to improve healthcare delivery.
The Chief Medical Director said the hospital had trained its health personnel to suspect Lassa fever in patients in order to prevent healthcare workers from contracting the virus.
“In 2022, we lost one of our medical doctors to Lassa fever, but as of now, infections among staff have become rare due to the preventive measures taken by the hospital’s management.”
Also speaking, the Head of the Department of Internal Medicine at ATBUTH, Dr Ibrahim Maigari, said the establishment of the hospital’s Lassa Fever Treatment Centre has significantly strengthened the management of cases in the state.
Dr Maigari described the new research collaboration as another important milestone that will expand scientific research, improve understanding of the disease, and contribute to better prevention, diagnosis, and the eventual development of effective interventions, including vaccines.
He added that sustained public awareness and early diagnosis have greatly improved treatment outcomes at the hospital’s Lassa Fever Isolation Centre.
“Out of every 10 patients admitted to the isolation centre, eight recover and are discharged, and this is because of sustained community engagement.”
The State Epidemiologist, Dr Ahmed Mohammed, said the research will also help identify solutions to the frequent outbreaks of Lassa fever, diphtheria, cholera, measles, and cerebrospinal meningitis in the state.
The Vice-Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Professor Ibrahim Hassan Garba, said the institution is open to collaborations that promote research.
