The Executive Director of the International Research Centre of Excellence (IRCE), Prof. Alash’le Abimiku, says recent studies show strong similarities among different strains of the Lassa virus in Nigeria, raising optimism that a single vaccine could provide protection across West Africa.
IRCE, established in 2016 by the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), has been leading research on infectious diseases in the region. Speaking in Abuja ahead of the institute’s 3rd Annual Scientific Symposium scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, Prof. Abimiku explained that research has focused on both the virus and the rodents that transmit it.
“One of our first studies was to track how strains of the virus are changing. We also examined the rodents carrying the virus, particularly their characteristics and behaviors in states such as Bauchi and Edo. This helped us understand whether the strains differ or remain largely the same,” she said.
According to her, findings show that while the virus undergoes minor mutations, most strains across Nigeria are closely related.
“That is encouraging for vaccine development because a single vaccine may be effective across different regions,” she added.
Lassa fever, an acute viral hemorrhagic illness, is spread to humans mainly through contact with food or household items contaminated by urine or feces of infected rats. The disease, which is endemic in Nigeria, often presents with fever, weakness, headaches, sore throat, chest pain, nausea, and in severe cases, bleeding. Fatality rates among hospitalized patients can reach 15–20 percent, making it a significant public health challenge.
Abimiku noted that several vaccine trials are already underway in Nigeria, Liberia, and Senegal, with research from Nigeria expected to play a crucial role in shaping their outcomes.
She emphasized IHVN’s commitment to maintaining international standards in its studies, ensuring that its findings are globally relevant.
On HIV/AIDS research, she acknowledged that progress has slowed due to a suspension of U.S. government funding but assured that efforts were ongoing to secure alternative support.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported three new confirmed cases of Lassa fever in Week 34 (Aug. 18–24, 2025), with Edo and Ondo states affected. This brings the national tally this year to 857 confirmed cases and 160 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 18.7 percent, higher than the 17.1 percent recorded in the same period of 2024.
The NCDC noted that 21 states across 106 LGAs have recorded at least one confirmed case in 2025, with Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi accounting for 90 percent of infections. The most affected age group remains 21 to 30 years.