The Economic Community of the States of Western Africa (Ecowas), through its specialized health institution, the Health Organization of Western Africa (WAHO), will organize the Second International Conference of the Fever of Ecowas Lassa (LIC) from September 22 to 26, 2025, in Côte d'Ifvoire.
The topic of the conference, “beyond borders: strengthening of regional cooperation to combat Lassa fever and emerging infectious diseases,” aims to advance sustainable preparation and regional coordination for Lassa fever through a greater research and development capacity (R&D), improved outbreak management systems and multisectoral collaboration.
Lassa fever is a endemic viral hemorrhagic disease of Western Africa, with Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea among the most affected countries.
Since its discovery, the disease has exposed critical weaknesses in the health systems of the region. Despite being classified as a priority disease by the World Health Organization (WHO), Lassa fever outbreaks follow a recurring pattern of temporary containment followed by new outbreaks, underlining the urgent need for sustainable preparation that focuses not only on the response but also in the stronger research, coordination and health systems.
Building on the Foundation Laid During the First Edition Hosted by The Nigeria Center for Disease Control in Abuja In 2019, The 2025 Edition Will Bring Together PolicyMakers, Researchers, Healthcare Professionals, and Key Stakeholders To Foster Regional Coordination, Sharing Scientific Progress, Including Promising Lassa Vaccine candidates Entering Clinical Trials, and Shaping A More Sustainable and Collaborative Approach To Lassa Faver Prevention and Control Across West Africa.
No country can address the challenges raised by the fever of Lassa and emerging infectious diseases alone, since globalization, faster trips and frequent cross -border movements have significantly increased the propagation of infectious diseases across borders.
Countries can significantly improve their speed and effectiveness of sharing data, resources and experience. This collaboration approach will reduce the impact of Lassa fever and improve regional health safety.
According to Dr. Melchior Athanase Aïssi, general director of Waho, “Lassa's fever remains a persistent threat to our populations, severely impacting our lives, health and economic systems.
Endemic in several western Africa countries, causes between 100,000 and 300,000 infections each year, with around 5,000 deaths. Recent predictions indicate that factors such as climate change could put up to 600 million people at risk of contract fever. This projection underlines the need for greater surveillance and preparation. ”
Dr. Katrin Ramsauer, Lassa's disease program, led in the coalition for epidemic preparation innovations (CEPI), said the world has progressed in recent years in the fight against Lassa fever.
“This next conference is an important moment for global scientists and health experts to join, under Waho's leadership, to share new knowledge about the disease and detect the remaining research gaps where we need to act.
“Your discussions will help shape the ASA Fever Research Agenda in the coming years, which will have a direct impact on our future response to the Lassa fever outbreaks, now becomes larger and more frequent as climate change and population growth continue in the region.”
The conference will have various sessions, including plenary discussions led by regional and international health leaders and key partners to explore financing mechanisms, cross -border and multisectoral coordination, panel discussions on vaccine research, community surveillance and parallel sessions that offer deep dives in operational research and environmental issues.
In addition, there will be interactive workshops on abstract outbreaks and abstract presentations that show the last scientific findings about Lassa fever. In addition, this second Ecowas LIC will provide learning opportunities through the country where experts will exchange information for the management of other emerging infectious diseases (such as MPOX) to inform more effective and sustainable approaches for the prevention and control of the lassa fever.
Waho, therefore, invites researchers, policy formulators, health professionals and interested parties to join this critical conference and contribute to strengthening regional health safety against Lassa fever and other emerging infectious diseases.