A major push to strengthen West Africa’s defences against Lassa fever began on Monday as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) opened the second Lassa Fever International Conference in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.
Organised by the West Africa Health Organisation (WAHO), the four-day event carries the theme “Beyond borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases. “
According to News Agency Of Nigeria (NAN), the meeting is designed to bring together health experts, policymakers, and researchers from across the region and beyond to explore practical solutions to one of West Africa’s most persistent health challenges.
Unlike the first edition in Abuja in 2019, which marked 50 years since the virus was first identified in Nigeria, the Abidjan gathering focuses on the future.
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It seeks to chart a common roadmap for faster access to diagnostics, effective vaccines, and stronger cross-border surveillance systems.
Through plenary sessions, workshops, and scientific presentations, participants are expected to share the latest findings, review progress since 2019, and agree on fresh commitments to regional preparedness.
The agenda also highlights the need for multi-sectoral collaboration, recognising the close links between human, animal, and environmental health.
With Lassa fever still claiming lives annually, ECOWAS and its partners are positioning the conference as more than just a scientific exchange, it is a call to action to close health gaps, deepen cooperation, and reinforce the region’s capacity to respond to future outbreaks.
