The ECOWAS 2nd Lassa Fever International Conference brings together leading experts, policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders from across West Africa and beyond to advance the regional response to Lassa fever. Hosted under the auspices of the West African Health Organization (WAHO) and its partners, this high-level event serves as a platform to share cutting-edge scientific research, discuss emerging trends, and identify strategies for improving surveillance, prevention, diagnostics, treatment, and vaccine development.

Against the backdrop of recurring outbreaks and growing public health concerns, the conference underscores the urgent need for a coordinated and multisectoral approach to Lassa fever control in the ECOWAS region. This conference proceeding features the collective knowledge and innovative solutions presented during the conference, highlighting regional experiences, lessons learned, and priority actions. It aims to foster collaboration, inform policy, and catalyse research that will ultimately strengthen preparedness and response efforts to combat Lassa fever.

 
Guest editors:

  1. Prof Issiaka Sombie, MD, MPH, PhD. Director Public Health Research, West African Health Organisation
  2. Dr Virgil Kuassi Lokossou MBBS, MBA, MPH, MSc, PhD. Acting Director, Healthcare Services, West African Health Organisation, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
  3. Dr Aishat Bukola Usman, MBBS, MPH, FWACP, PhD. Public Health Expert, Lassa fever Coalition Project, West African Health Organisation
  4. Prof Sylvanus Akhalufo Okogbenin MBBS, FWACS, FICS. Chairman, Technical Working Group, Institute of Viral and Emergent Pathogen Control and Research, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Edo State, Nigeria
  5. Dr Muhammad Shakir Balogun MBBS, MPH, FMCPath, Resident Advisor, African Field Epidemiology Network, Nigeria
  6. Dr Adama Ndir, MD, MSc, Chief Executive Officer, Nutrivision Consulting, Dakar, Senegal

Insights into long-term antibody response in Lassa fever: A five-year follow-up study of Lassa fever survivors in Nigeria [Conference Abstract]

Ephraim Ogbaini-Emovon, David Wozniak, Anke Thielebein, Yemisi Ighodalo, Thomas Olokor, Rachael Omiunu, Abubakar Taju, Mette Hinrichs, Jonas Müller, Rita Esumeh, Oluwasola Babatunde, Paulson Ebhodaghe, Ganiyu Igenegbale, Rosemary Giwa, Anieno Ekanem, Nosa Akpede, Donatus Adomeh, Sylvanus Okogbenin, Cyril Erameh, Joseph Okoguale, Danny Asogun, George Akpede, Mojeed Rafiu, Kelly Iraoyah, Osahogie Ediawe, Wilson Ovienria, Peter Okokhere, Ruben Agbons Eifediyi, Stephan Günther, Lisa Oestereich
JIEPH Volume 8 (Conf Proc 5):00079. 19 Aug 2025 (PDF in process)

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Serological evidence of prior exposure in suspected Lassa fever cases with negative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results [Conference Abstract]

Sa’adatu Aliyu Abubakar, Adama Abubakar Ahmed, Zacchaeus Adeniran Adejuyigbe, Item Inya Item, Adesola Semiu Adeleye, Mustapha Lawal, Eugene Samuel Bwede, Osarenmwinda Omobude, Munzali Shamsu Zubairu, Agwu Enoch Ojenya, Ikulughan Iibinmo Love, James Avong, Olajumoke Babatunde, Jide Idris
JIEPH Volume 8 (Conf Proc 5):00075. 18 Aug 2025 (PDF in process)

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Le virus Lassa au Bénin: Caractérisation génomique des isolats des cas positifs responsables de l’épidémie de 2023 [Conference Abstract]

Yadouleton Anges, Nouatin Odilon, Kissira Islamiath, Goundote Aimé, Dansi Flocas, Aho Glele Rodrigue, Aniwanou Bernard, Sohou Stéphane, Bedie Sonia, Saizonou Raoul, Adewumi Praise, Babio Rokiatou, Nadine Fievet Nadine, Christelle Butel, Laetitia Serrano, Nicole Vidal, Guichet Emilande, Massougbodji Achille, Delaporte Eric, Martine Peeters, Benjamin Hounkpatin
JIEPH Volume 8 (Conf Proc 5):00038. 18 Aug 2025

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Contribution of Lassa fever to severe acute kidney injury in an endemic area: A retrospective observational study in southern Nigeria [Conference Abstract]

Mojeed Olaitan Rafiu, Ndidi Ngbeken Akerele, Samuel Ayokunle Dada, Christian Ehigbor Erohubie, Sulaiman Dazumi Ahmed, Yemihan Nwannebuife Ogbetere, Johnbull Mazor Akerele, Adewale Elijah Adetunji, Stephan Günther, Chukwuemeka Ogugua Azubike, Peter Odion Okokhere, George Obozokhale Akpede
JIEPH Volume 8 (Conf Proc 5):00074. 18 Aug 2025 (PDF in process)

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Indications and potential diagnostic utility of lumbar puncture in the management of non-neonatal pediatric Lassa virus disease [Conference Abstract]

Sheila Mary Ojor Ileli, Imonifome Frank Onyeke, Adaugo Chizoma Owobu, Jeremiah Samuel Alli, Christiana Ngozi Ekuma, Michael Izuwanneka Ogbogu, Chukuwuemeka Ogbuinya Ugadu, Grace Gyaga Kyunni, Fayowole Irohinayo Omojoye, Ehisuan Ehiaghe, Matthew Apeleokha, Juliet Oemhenze Idialu-Eigbobo, Augusta Adesua Orji, Collins Onolunosen Obinyan, Adewale Elijah Adetunji, Cyril Oshomah Erameh, Peter Okokhere, Ephraim Ogbaini-Emovon, Kelly Iraoyah, Osahogie Edeawe, George Obozokhae Akpede
JIEPH Volume 8 (Conf Proc 5):00073. 18 Aug 2025 (PDF in process)

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Strengthening outbreak response in West Africa: Insights from a Nigerian simulation exercise [Conference Abstract]

Reuben Agbons Eifediyi, Joseph Okoeguale, Ola Chikerendu Egbuta, Yemihan Ogbetere, Peter Okokhere, Sylvanus Akhalufo Okogbenin, Danny Akhere Asogun, Yusuf Jibrin, Robinson Onoh, Christian Ehigbor Erohubie, Mojeed Olaitan Rafiu, Ekaete Alice Tobin, Yemisi Ighodalo, Efe Petra Edeawe, Osahon Otaigbe, Ehizojie Emua
JIEPH Volume 8 (Conf Proc 5):00072. 18 Aug 2025 (PDF in process)

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Guinea’s five-year progress in Lassa fever surveillance: Strengthening diagnostic and genomic surveillance capabilities [Conference Abstract]

Giuditta Annibaldis, Fara Raymond Koundouno, Youssouf Sidibe, Jacob Camara, Kékoura Ifono, Barré Soropogui, Sarah Ryter, Hugo Soubrier, Mette Hinrichs, Julia Hinzmann, Saa Lucien Millimono, Karifa Kourouma, Tamba Elie Millimouno, Fernand M’Bemba Tolno, Faya Moriba Kamano, Eugène Kolie, Moussa Condé, Nourdine Ibrahim, Bakary Sylla, Fanta Berete, Mamadou Alpha Baldé, Mamadou Dioulde Barry, Bely Sonomy, Soua Koulemou, Mariame Traore, Kaba Keita, Beate Becker-Ziaja, Carolina van Gelder, Emily Victoria Nelson, Nils Peter Petersen, Mia Le, Anke Thielebein, Lisa Oestereich, Meike Pahlmann, Joon Klaps, Philippe Lemey, Liana Eleni Kafetzopoulou, Stephan Günther, N’Faly Magassouba, Sanaba Boumbaly, Sophie Duraffour
JIEPH Volume 8 (Conf Proc 5):00037. 18 Aug 2025

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Sociocultural and environmental risk factors sustaining Lassa fever transmission in endemic communities of Edo State, Nigeria: Implications for targeted prevention strategies [Conference Abstract]

Stephenson Babatunde Ojeifo, Ekaete Alice Tobin, Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, Stanley Ehiarimwian, Blessing Adeyan, Minna Denyinye Hitlar, Mercy Onize Okuo, Oladipupo Banji Ipadeola, Isaac Osahogie Edeawe, Alphonsus Aigberiomolen, Rita Okonkwo, Nora Eyo, Kester Onosetale Okoduwa, Wisdom Okon William
JIEPH Volume 8 (Conf Proc 5):00112. 15 Aug 2025 (PDF in process)

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A forecasting approach to navigate uncertainty in Lassa fever vaccine demand and guide supply planning [Conference Abstract]

Thierno Balde, John Bayougar, Benjamin Curtis, Assietou Diouf, Muktar Gadanya, Gabriela Gomez, Yilchini Ishaku, Sana Johnson, Mory Keita, Virgil Kouassi Lokossou, Shelly Malhotra, Esther Mungai, Hassan Muntari, Precious Nwiko, Oyeronke Oyebanji, Katrin Ramsauer, Sharvani Saraf, Kpatcha Tchamda, Goodness Tennyson, Ifeoma Uduji, Winifred Ukponu, Aishat Bukola Usman, Agnes Yadouleton
JIEPH Volume 8 (Conf Proc 5):00132. 15 Aug 2025 (PDF in process)

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Safety and tolerability of Favipiravir compared to ribavirin for the treatment of Lassa fever: A randomized controlled open-label phase II clinical trial [Conference Abstract]

Cyril Erameh, Kevin Okwaraeke, Meike Pahlmann, Christine Kleist, Femi Babatunde, Ndapewa Ithete, Osahogie Edeawe, Cédric Mbavu, Julia Hinzmann, Veronika Schlicker, Francisca Sarpong, Camille Fritzell, Alexandre Duvignaud, Denis Malvy,Joseph Okoeguale, Reuben Eifediyi, Sylvanus Okogbenin, Marie Jaspard, Sebastian Wicha, Stephan Günther, Peter Akhideno, Oluwafemi Ayodeji, Michael Ramharter, Mirjam Groger
JIEPH Volume 8 (Conf Proc 5):00026. 15 Aug 2025

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