The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) has taken a significant step in the fight against Lassa fever by expanding its coalition to include three key regional health institutions — Corona Management Systems, Nigeria Health Watch, and Bloom Public Health. The expansion is aimed at accelerating the development, distribution, and access to vaccines against the viral disease that continues to pose a serious public health threat across West Africa.
The announcement was made at the recently concluded meeting of the ECOWAS Assembly of Health Ministers held in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. The meeting brought together health leaders and policymakers from the region to review strategies for tackling persistent health emergencies and to strengthen collaborative efforts.
The expanded coalition is supported by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and now includes ministers of health from five of the most affected countries — Nigeria, Benin, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. These nations have historically borne the highest burden of Lassa fever outbreaks, with Nigeria accounting for a significant proportion of annual cases.
Speaking at the event, Nigeria’s Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, who also serves as Chair of the ECOWAS Assembly of Health Ministers, described the development as a bold and necessary move. “The expansion of the Lassa Fever Coalition is not just a strategic step; it is a powerful affirmation of what is possible when African nations rise together in common cause,” he said.
Lassa fever, an acute viral hemorrhagic illness, is endemic in several West African countries. It affects between 100,000 and 300,000 people each year, with an estimated 5,000 deaths, according to global health estimates. The disease is primarily spread through contact with food or household items contaminated with rodent urine or feces, and it often resurfaces during the dry season in rural communities with limited access to medical care.
The new coalition members are expected to play a central role in scaling up regional research, supporting clinical trials, improving surveillance systems, and enhancing community-level awareness. The goal is not only to fast-track the availability of vaccines but also to ensure that those most vulnerable are reached promptly.
WAHO noted that the initiative is part of a broader push to foster health sovereignty in West Africa by reducing dependency on foreign aid and building stronger, more resilient local health systems. The expansion also comes amid growing recognition that regional collaboration and homegrown solutions are vital to curbing the spread of epidemic-prone diseases.
Health experts believe that with the added technical expertise and advocacy capacity of the new partners, the coalition will be better positioned to mobilize resources and coordinate efforts across borders.
As the region braces for potential outbreaks in the coming months, stakeholders remain hopeful that the strengthened coalition will mark a turning point in the decades-long battle against Lassa fever, offering renewed hope for vulnerable communities across West Africa.
