Hope for a universal vaccine against Lassa fever has gained momentum after researchers confirmed that strains of the virus found across Nigeria and West Africa are strikingly similar.
Professor Alash’le Abimiku, the Executive Director of the International Centre of Excellence (IRCE), disclosed this ahead of the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN)’s 3rd Annual Scientific Symposium themed “Combating Viral Threats through Public Health Response and Research.”
“One of the first studies we did was to understand how the strains are changing,” she explained. “We also studied the rodent, the rat that carries this virus, its characteristics and behaviours in Bauchi, Edo and other states. This helps us determine if the strains are the same or different.”
Abimiku said findings revealed that despite minor mutations, Lassa virus strains circulating within Nigeria show remarkable genetic similarity. “That is good for vaccine development because if you make one vaccine, it can cut across,” she noted.
Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus. Transmission occurs when humans come into contact with food or items contaminated with the urine or faeces of infected rats. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) lists common symptoms as fever, sore throat, headaches, nausea, and chest pain. Severe cases can result in bleeding from the gums, nose, or gastrointestinal tract.
The disease remains endemic in Nigeria, especially in Edo, Ondo, and Bauchi states. With a case fatality rate of 15–20 percent among hospitalized patients, the threat is significant. This year, NCDC reported 857 confirmed cases and 160 deaths as of late August, translating to an 18.7 percent fatality rate—higher than the 17.1 percent reported in the same period last year.
Abimiku also revealed that candidate vaccine trials are underway in Nigeria, Senegal, and Liberia. She emphasized that outcomes from Nigerian studies will influence the wider success of these efforts.
“Our research on HIV/AIDS has slowed a little bit because of funding. Talk to our chief operating officer, he has been pushing different governments and different organisations on why they should begin to fund research,” she added.
She stressed that once a safe and effective vaccine is available, it would transform the fight against Lassa fever across Nigeria and the sub-region.
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