In a recent address, Dr. Joseph Okoeguale, the Director of Viral and Emergent Pathogens, Control and Research at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, reported a concerning surge in Lassa fever cases in Edo State. Between December 2023 and March 2024, the state saw 240 confirmed positive cases and 21 related deaths. Dr. Okoeguale highlighted that Lassa fever poses a significant public health risk, affecting approximately 37.7 million individuals across 14 West African countries annually, leading to over 5,000 fatalities. His lecture, titled “University Community Collaboration in Lassa Fever Research: Advancing Diagnostic Capacity and Vaccine Development in Nigeria,” was delivered at Edo State University Uzairue, underlining the urgent need for collaborative efforts in combating this endemic disease.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified Lassa fever as a priority disease necessitating enhanced research and development efforts. Dr. Okoeguale explained that a staggering 80% of those infected remain asymptomatic, avoiding medical attention, which complicates the challenge of controlling and managing the disease. He emphasized that both prevention strategies and vaccination are critical in addressing the ongoing threat Lassa fever presents, asserting that the disease does not discriminate by age or gender and continues to inflict mortalities in vulnerable populations across Nigeria.
Dr. Okoeguale pointed out that the persistent outbreaks of Lassa fever are exacerbating the pressures on Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure. He called for the establishment of centers of excellence dedicated to Lassa fever management, similar to established centers in Sierra Leone and Nigeria, including the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control at Irrua. These specialized centers are crucial for effective disease management, research, and the development of targeted interventions, including vaccinations. He mentioned that beyond the existing institutes, additional centers have been commissioned, such as the Federal Medical Center in Owo and others in Bauchi and Abakaliki, to broaden the national response to the disease.
Highlighting the importance of research and development, Dr. Okoeguale announced the advancement of clinical trials aimed at developing new drugs and vaccines for Lassa fever. He noted that an ultramodern clinical trial and sequencing center has been established and is actively working on sequencing the Lassa fever virus, alongside other emerging viruses like COVID-19 and Monkeypox. This facility marks a significant step forward in understanding these viruses and developing effective treatments. Additionally, he shared that the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnership has approved a platform trial for new Lassa fever treatments, facilitating collaborative research efforts on an international level.
In collaboration with esteemed organizations such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Okoeguale underscored the importance of sustaining clinical fellowships aimed at improving the management of Lassa fever and other infectious diseases. Such partnerships are vital not only for knowledge exchange but also for improving clinical practices and healthcare outcomes in Nigeria, where the public health burden severely impacts the entire population.
Concluding his remarks, the Acting Vice Chancellor of Edo State University, Prof. Dawood Egbefo, echoed Dr. Okoeguale’s concerns, reiterating that Lassa fever remains a pressing public health challenge in Nigeria. He emphasized the need for robust collaboration among various stakeholders, including government officials, academic institutions, and healthcare providers, to confront this critical issue effectively. The burden of Lassa fever not only endangers lives but also strains health systems, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance diagnostic capacities, vaccination efforts, and overall disease management strategies for a healthier future for the community and the country at large.
