The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) has announced a significant expansion of the Lassa Fever Coalition, integrating three new regional health organisations to accelerate vaccine access and response efforts across West Africa.
The newly inducted partners Corona Management Systems, Nigeria Health Watch, and Bloom Public Health will support WAHO’s efforts to coordinate a locally led, regionally focused response to Lassa fever, including the development, rollout, and equitable distribution of vaccines.
The announcement was made during the annual ECOWAS Assembly of Health Ministers Meeting, marking a pivotal moment for the Coalition. The initiative is supported by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and operates from Oslo and Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.
According to a press statement signed by Alaba Balogun, Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations, the expansion reflects growing momentum in regional epidemic preparedness.
Ministers of Health from Benin, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone—countries most affected by Lassa fever—remain at the heart of the Coalition’s leadership.
“The expansion of the Lassa Fever Coalition is not just strategic; it’s a testament to what’s possible when African nations unite in common cause,” said Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and Chair of the ECOWAS Assembly of Health Ministers.
Prof. Pate emphasized that the new partnerships signal a deeper regional commitment to health sovereignty:
“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are strengthening systems to anticipate and prevent outbreaks. This is more than a coalition—it’s a model for future epidemic preparedness and a roadmap for regional health security.”
WAHO Director General Dr. Melchior Athanase Joël C. Aissi stressed the importance of cross-border collaboration:
“No single country can confront Lassa fever alone. Our new partners bring critical expertise that will accelerate responses and improve access to life-saving interventions.”
Dr. Chijioke Kaduru, Managing Director of Corona Management Systems and spokesperson for the Coalition Secretariat, added:
“We are proud to support WAHO in building a unified regional response. Through coordination, capacity-building, and preparedness, we aim to enable equitable vaccine access.”
Lassa fever a viral haemorrhagic illness endemic in West Africa—continues to affect hundreds of thousands annually. Often misdiagnosed as malaria, the disease’s burden is significantly underestimated. About 20% of cases progress to severe symptoms, including internal bleeding, chest pain, and long-term complications such as hearing loss. Climate change and population growth are projected to raise the number of people at risk to nearly 600 million by 2050.
Recognizing the public health threat, the World Health Organization (WHO) has listed Lassa fever among its priority pathogens for urgent research and development. CEPI CEO Dr. Richard Hatchett underscored the importance of the expanded Coalition Secretariat:
“Their regional leadership is essential to transforming research into action and ensuring vaccine strategies are responsive to local realities.”
The Secretariat will be headquartered in Nigeria, with teams also based in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Benin. They will support vaccine R&D, engage with developers and funders, strengthen clinical trial capacity, and design region specific access strategies.
This expansion follows the Coalition’s inaugural Governing Entity meeting in Abuja in January 2025.
Looking ahead, WAHO will host the 2nd Lassa Fever International Conference (LIC) from 22–26 September 2025 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, under the theme:
“Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases.”
The conference will bring together scientists, policymakers, vaccine developers, and civil society to assess progress, share innovations, and deepen collaboration in epidemic response.
WAHO invites all stakeholders, including researchers and journalists to participate. Abstract submissions and registration details are available at:
www.lassafeverinternationalconference.org/abstract
