Prof. Tomori Urges ECOWAS to Back Words with Action in Fight Against Lassa Fever

Renowned virologist, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, has urged West African governments to take decisive and coordinated steps to curb the spread of Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic disease that continues to threaten the region.

Speaking at the 2nd International Lassa Fever Conference on Monday in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, the former president of the Nigerian Academy of Science noted that while progress has been made since the inaugural meeting in 2019, many of the challenges highlighted then remain unresolved.

With an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 cases and about 5,000 deaths annually—mostly in West Africa—Tomori stressed that the fight against Lassa fever requires genuine political will, government ownership, and less reliance on donor funding.

He highlighted achievements such as the establishment of five major laboratories capable of testing epidemic-prone diseases, the expansion of field epidemiology training, and the deployment of community-level surveillance platforms. However, he lamented persistent gaps, including the lack of a licensed vaccine, unequal access to diagnostic tools, weak cross-border coordination, and stigma that delays treatment.

“The 2025 conference should serve as a wake-up call,” Tomori said. “ECOWAS must move beyond promises. Without real commitment, we will keep recycling words instead of protecting our people from repeated outbreaks.”

The four-day conference, themed “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases”, is organised by the West African Health Organisation in partnership with the health ministries of Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire. It brings together scientists, policymakers, and development partners to review progress and chart a stronger regional response.