Renowned virologist, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, has urged West African governments to move beyond rhetoric and implement decisive measures to curb Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic disease that continues to affect thousands across the region.
Delivering the keynote address at the 2nd International Lassa Fever Conference in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on Monday, Tomori—former President of the Nigerian Academy of Science—stressed that despite progress since the maiden edition of the conference in 2019, several unresolved challenges remain.
With the theme “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases”, the meeting seeks to galvanise political will, reinforce regional commitment, and drive collective action against Lassa fever and other outbreaks.
Tomori noted that the disease still records between 100,000 and 300,000 cases annually, causing around 5,000 deaths—mainly in West Africa—despite decades of research and interventions.
“ECOWAS must go beyond making statements. Without genuine political commitment and government ownership, we risk recycling promises and hosting conferences without meaningful results,” he warned.
He acknowledged progress such as the creation of five regional laboratories for epidemic testing and genomic sequencing, expanded field epidemiology training, and the rollout of community-level disease surveillance.
However, he lamented persisting gaps, including the lack of an approved vaccine, limited access to diagnostic tools, reliance on donor funding, weak cross-border coordination, and social stigma that discourages early treatment.
Tomori called on ECOWAS states to invest more in research, surveillance, and community-driven interventions, while accelerating vaccine development.
“The 2025 conference is a reminder that we must take bold, coordinated action. We cannot depend on donors while our people remain vulnerable to repeated outbreaks,” he added.
The four-day conference is organised by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), in partnership with Nigeria’s and Côte d’Ivoire’s Ministries of Health, bringing together scientists, policymakers, and development partners to review progress and shape future strategies.