by By Amboni
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through its health body, the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), has called on researchers, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders to strengthen regional health security against Lassa fever and other emerging infectious diseases.
WAHO issued the call in a statement on Friday, announcing the upcoming second Lassa Fever International Conference, set for September 2025 in Côte d’Ivoire.
The conference, themed “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases,” aims to promote sustainable preparedness and regional coordination by boosting research and development, improving outbreak management systems, and fostering multisectoral collaboration.
The newly established Lassa Coalition, formed by WAHO, aims to enhance regional and national efforts to combat Lassa fever. Its primary goal is to ensure that a safe, effective, and high-quality vaccine is available for those affected, ensuring equitable access when needed.
The Lassa Fever Governing Entity (LGE) will provide leadership at both the country and regional levels, overseeing governance and program delivery for vaccine developers, funders, and Member States involved in the fight against Lassa fever. The LGE’s members include Health Ministers from key countries such as Benin, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, as well as senior representatives from CEPI, WAHO, and the World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters and Regional Office for Africa (WHO – AFRO).
