Renowned virologist Prof. Oyewale Tomori has urged West African governments to take decisive and practical measures to combat Lassa fever—a viral haemorrhagic disease that continues to affect the region significantly.
Delivering the keynote address at the 2nd International Lassa Fever Conference on Monday in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, Tomori, a former president of the Nigerian Academy of Science, emphasized the need for action over rhetoric.
He acknowledged that while some progress has been made since the inaugural conference in 2019, many of the previously identified challenges remain unresolved.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference is themed: “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Lassa Fever and Emerging Infectious Diseases.”
The conference aims to reinforce regional commitment, galvanize political will, and promote coordinated action in the fight against Lassa fever and other emerging infectious diseases.
Prof. Tomori noted that, despite decades of research and intervention, Lassa fever continues to affect West Africa significantly, with an estimated 100,000 to 300,000 cases and around 5,000 deaths reported annually.
“ECOWAS must move beyond rhetoric to tangible action. Without sincere political will and full government ownership, we will simply continue to repeat the same promises and convene meetings that yield little real progress,” he warned.
