Nigeria Launches Research For Improved Knowledge And Control Of Lassa Fever

As part of commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to respond to epidemic threats through data-driven research and innovation, the Nigerian Center for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC. has launched the ENABLE 1.5 study, in an effort to better understand and control Lassa fever in the country.’

At the event in Abuja, the National Project Coordinator for ENABLE 1.5 in Nigeria, Dr. Elsie Ilori noted that the study was to produce a vaccine to reduce the burden of Lassa fever in Nigeria and West Africa.

Dr Ilori pointed out that with collaborative research efforts like ENABLE 1.5, researchers would be better equipped to prevent, detect, and respond to Lassa outbreaks, thereby saving lives and protecting communities.

According to her, ” ENABLE 1.0, which was the largest ever epidemiological study on Lassa fever, ran from 2020 to 2023. the insights gained from this work have significantly deepened our understanding of the transmission, epidemiology, and burden of this disease in Nigeria and across West Africa.”

She noted that over 600 participants from Nigeria, Liberia, and Ghana would be enrolled while selection criteria will include age, with adults, adolescents, and children as young as two years old eligible, as well as people living with HIV.

” The study prioritizes community engagement and sensitization. researchers will conduct house-to-house enrollment, obtaining consent from household heads, participants must provide informed consent and can withdraw at any time without consequences.”

”Participants will be selected from sites with high Lassa fever burden, such as FMC Owo, ISTH Irrua, and AE Futa in Abakaliki, Nigeria.” she said.

The Director of the Epidemiology and Data Science Department at SAPI, Gabrielle Brueggemann noted that Lassa fever was a critical threat that causes epidemics and outbreaks in West Africa.

”So it’s in our mission to develop a vaccine because it’s a neglected infectious disease, where otherwise vaccine developers will not invest, so SAPI, as part of its mission, decided to invest in this neglected disease, really to support the people in West Africa to fight this threat.”

”To date, we have invested more than 250 million in the development of a Lassa fever vaccine through all the different activities, meaning investment in the vaccine trials, but also in the Enable research program to really get that critical data.” she said.

On his part, the Director of Planning Research and Statistics , Nigerian Center for Disease Control and Prevention, NCDC. Dr Sikiru Badaru who noted that Lassa fever  is a type of virus that has some certain characteristics that can mutate at any time. said there was the need for scientists to know which particular strain and specific strain.

”The study also allows us to understand the vulnerable groups, and most especially the healthcare workers. So these doctors and nurses that have mostly been exposed to this virus will be the first people that will be attempted to be protected before the people in the community.”