The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) has announced a significant investment of over $250 million in research focused on Lassa fever since 2017. This funding aims to accelerate the development of a vaccine for the disease.
Gabrielle Breugelmans, CEPI’s Director of Epidemiology and Data Science, shared this update during Wednesday’s launch of the Enable 1.5 cohort study in Abuja. She stressed that this investment supports vaccine trials and the Enable research program, which gathers critical data to combat Lassa fever effectively.
The Enable 1.5 initiative will investigate the incidence, symptoms, and co-infections of Lassa fever and malaria in West Africa. The study plans to enrol 5,000 healthy participants, including children and infants, to collect essential information for upcoming vaccine trials.
The research will commence in October, led by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), CEPI, and various international collaborators. Initial operations will occur in Nigeria’s Edo, Ondo, and Ebonyi states, with plans for additional studies in Sierra Leone and Liberia soon after.
Richard Hatchett, CEPI’s CEO, emphasized the necessity of understanding Lassa fever better to enhance response strategies. “Incomplete detection of Lassa fever cases limits our grasp of its true incidence, impacting how resources are allocated for responses,” he noted. He added that understanding the diversity of symptoms—mild, moderate, or severe—will inform future vaccine trials and target groups for vaccination once a vaccine is available.
Dr. Jide Idris, the Director-General of NCDC, hailed the study as a critical advancement in Nigeria’s battle against Lassa fever. He stated, “We are enhancing our ability to detect and understand cases while preparing for future vaccine development by analyzing the disease’s symptoms and their links to other infections.” Idris believes the findings will influence health practices across Nigeria and West Africa.
Mrs. Elsie Ilori, National Project Coordinator for Enable in Nigeria, echoed these sentiments, describing the expanded Lassa fever study as crucial for ongoing efforts to combat the disease. She highlighted that a thorough examination of Lassa fever symptoms, especially compared to other common infections, could yield insights for better diagnosis and outbreak preparedness.
Key Information
Lassa fever, first identified in Nigeria in 1969, is a viral hemorrhagic illness primarily spread by Mastomys rats. It poses a significant public health threat in West Africa, leading to periodic outbreaks.
CEPI initiated the Enable research program in 2019, enrolling over 23,000 regional participants. Data from these studies will soon be published, influencing future global health strategies for Lassa fever.
The Enable 1.5 phase represents a pivotal step toward comprehending and ultimately eradicating the disease in West Africa. With the support of local and international partners, the goal of creating an effective vaccine is now more achievable.
