Conference Abstract | Volume 8, Abstract ELIC2025420 (Oral 020) | Published: 11 Aug 2025
Oladayo David Awoyale1,2,3,&, Simiat Titilola Adeogun2, Patrick Agbo3, Oluwatosin Fakayode3, Magbagbeola Dairo2, Olufunmilayo Fawole2
1Sydani Group, Abuja, Nigeria, 2University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, 3Kwara State Ministry of Health, Ilorin, Nigeria, 4Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria
&Corresponding author: Oladayo David Awoyale, Sydani Group, Abuja, Nigeria. Email:oladayoawoyale@gmail.com
Received: 15 May 2025, Accepted: 09 Jul 2025, Published: 11 Aug 2025
Domain: Infectious Disease Epidemiology
Keywords: Lassa fever, Cross-border collaboration, Surveillance, Outbreak response
©Oladayo David Awoyale et al. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health (ISSN: 2664-2824). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Cite this article: Oladayo David Awoyale et al Cross-border collaboration in action: A laboratory-confirmed case report of Lassa fever in Kwara State, Nigeria. Journal of Interventional Epidemiology and Public Health. 2025;8(ConfProc5):00020. https://doi.org/10.37432/JIEPH-CONFPRO5-00020
The porous nature of international borders has facilitated the spread of Lassa Fever (LF) cases, underscoring the need for cross-border management and collaboration. This case report highlights a laboratory-confirmed index case of LF in Kwara State, Nigeria, and demonstrates the importance of multisectoral collaboration in controlling outbreaks.
A 30-year-old woman presented with fever, headache, and abdominal pain, and was initially treated for malaria. However, as her condition persisted, the Kwara State Ministry of Health was notified of a suspected LF case on February 13, 2020. Investigations revealed that the patient had visited healthcare facilities in both Kwara State, Nigeria, and the Republic of Benin during her illness. Blood samples were obtained, and she was confirmed positive for LF in the Republic of Benin.
This case highlights the challenges of LF diagnosis and the need for effective community engagement within the framework of the International Health Regulations. The confirmation of LF in this patient underscores the importance of cross-border collaboration in controlling outbreaks. By sharing information, coordinating responses, and engaging communities, countries can work together to prevent the spread of LF and reduce the risk of outbreaks. This case report emphasizes the need for enhanced surveillance, improved diagnostic capacity, and strengthened partnerships between healthcare systems across borders. By leveraging multisectoral collaboration and community engagement, we can improve our response to LF outbreaks and protect public health. This report serves as a timely reminder of the importance of global cooperation in the face of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
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