The threat of Lassa fever looms large over Edo State as health officials report a staggering 240 cases and 21 deaths between December 2024 and March 2025. The alarming figures were revealed by Dr. Joseph Okoeguale, Director of Viral and Emergent Pathogens, Control and Research at Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, during a lecture at Edo State University, Uzairue on Monday.
Okoeguale’s lecture, titled “University Community Collaboration in Lassa Fever Research: Advancing Diagnostic Capacity and Vaccine Development in Nigeria,” underscored the urgent need for concerted efforts to combat the deadly viral hemorrhagic fever. Classified as a priority disease for research and development by the World Health Organization (WHO), Lassa fever has been a persistent scourge in Nigeria, particularly in Edo State.
In 2024, between December and the end of March, we recorded 240 positive cases with more than 21 people dying, that is quite large,” Okoeguale stated grimly. “We also recorded high number of cases in 2023 with more than 40 per cent of cases from Edo State coming from Etsako communities.”
The director, who is also a Consultant of Obstetrics and Gynaecologist, emphasized that prevention and vaccination are the only ways to halt the disease’s spread. Lassa fever occurs in all age groups and in both males and females. For many decades, Lassa fever has continued to cause mortalities, undiagnosed and unchallenged,” he said.
Okoeguale noted that the annual Lassa fever outbreaks have placed an enormous strain on all aspects of Nigeria’s health system. “The response to an outbreak must focus on limiting mortality and reducing the spread of disease,” he stressed. “This is a Lassa fever endemic community. The only way to bring a stop to this scourge of disease is by prevention. For epidemic prevention, the only tool is to vaccinate.”
To address this pressing issue, the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital is designing trials to develop new drugs and vaccines for Lassa fever. The center has built an ultramodern clinical trial and sequencing facility, and has commenced sequencing not only the Lassa fever virus, but also COVID-19 and monkeypox viruses.
“We have recently received approval by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trial Partnership (EDCTP) to conduct a platform trial of new drugs for Lassa fever,” Okoeguale revealed. We are currently collaborating with the United States Centre of Disease Control, George Town and the Nigeria Centre of Disease Control to sustain a clinical fellowship programme for the clinical management of Lassa fever and other highly infectious diseases.
These initiatives aim to reduce Lassa fever’s mortality and morbidity in Nigeria and the West African sub-region. However, the battle against the disease requires a multi-pronged approach, including community engagement, public health education, and improved healthcare infrastructure.
Acting Vice Chancellor of Edo State University, Prof. Dawood Egbefo, acknowledged the significant public health challenge posed by Lassa fever during his opening remarks at the lecture. “The disease affects countless lives and places a strain on healthcare systems,” he said. “This lecture serves as a platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and partnership to build a robust framework for ongoing research, innovation, and intervention that will address Lassa fever and other emerging health threats.”
As Edo State grapples with the surge in Lassa fever cases, it is clear that a concerted effort involving government agencies, healthcare institutions, and local communities is necessary to turn the tide against this deadly disease. With the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital leading the charge in research and vaccine development, there is hope that future outbreaks can be prevented, and lives can be saved.
However, the road ahead is long and fraught with challenges. Addressing Lassa fever will require sustained investment in healthcare infrastructure, public health education, and community engagement. It will also demand a commitment from policymakers to prioritize the fight against infectious diseases and allocate the necessary resources to support research and intervention efforts.
As the battle against Lassa fever continues, the people of Edo State and Nigeria as a whole must remain vigilant, informed, and united in their resolve to overcome this formidable foe. Only through collaboration, innovation, and unwavering dedication can we hope to build a healthier, safer future for all.
