Renowned virologist, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, has urged West African governments to take concrete steps in the fight against Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic disease that continues to threaten the region.
Tomori, a former President of the Nigerian Academy of Science, made the call on Monday in his keynote address at the 2nd International Lassa Fever Conference in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
The conference, themed “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases,” seeks to reaffirm regional commitment, mobilise political will, and drive collective action against epidemics.
Tomori noted that although progress has been made since the maiden conference in 2019, many challenges identified then remain unresolved.
“Lassa fever still records an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 cases annually, with about 5,000 deaths, mostly in West Africa, despite decades of research and interventions. ECOWAS must match words with action. Without genuine political will and government ownership, we will continue to recycle the same promises and hold meetings without meaningful action,” he warned.
Progress and Gaps
The virologist highlighted some achievements since 2019, including the establishment of five major laboratories capable of testing epidemic-prone diseases and conducting genomic sequencing, as well as the expansion of field epidemiology training programmes and the deployment of community-level surveillance platforms.
However, he stressed that significant gaps remain. These include the absence of a licensed vaccine, uneven access to diagnostics, donor-dependent funding, weak cross-border coordination, and persistent stigma that delays patients from seeking care.
Tomori called on ECOWAS member states to invest more resources, strengthen regional surveillance systems, and accelerate vaccine research alongside community-led interventions.
“The 2025 conference is a wake-up call for us to take bold and coordinated steps. We cannot continue to rely on donors while our people remain at risk of repeated outbreaks,” he said.
About the Conference
The four-day forum is convened by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) in collaboration with Nigeria’s Ministry of Health and Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministry of Health. It brings together scientists, policymakers, and development partners to review progress and chart a stronger regional response to Lassa fever and other emerging infectious diseases.
