The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through its health agency, the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), has called on researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals to enhance regional health security against Lassa fever and other emerging infectious diseases.

WAHO made the appeal in a statement on Friday while announcing the second Lassa Fever International Conference, scheduled for September 2025 in Côte d’Ivoire.

Themed ‘Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases’, the event aims to improve outbreak management, research capacity, and multisectoral collaboration in the region

Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic disease endemic to West Africa, remains a major health concern, particularly in Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea.

In 2025 alone, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported 506 confirmed cases and 95 deaths. Despite being classified as a priority disease by the World Health Organisation (WHO), outbreaks continue to resurface, highlighting weaknesses in the region’s health systems.

WAHO Director-General, Dr. Melchior Aissi, warned that climate change could put up to 600 million people at risk of Lassa fever, stressing the need for sustainable preparedness and cross-border collaboration.

Lassa Disease Programme Lead at the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Dr. Katrin Ramsauer, emphasized that the conference will help shape future research and response strategies against the disease.

The 2025 conference will build on the foundation laid by the first edition hosted by NCDC in 2019, bringing together health leaders, researchers, and stakeholders to discuss vaccine development, community surveillance, and financing mechanisms.

WAHO stressed that no single country can fight Lassa fever alone, urging nations to share data, resources, and expertise for a more effective and coordinated response.

WAHO calls for stronger regional cooperation against Lassa fever