By Ojoma Akor
Experts from across the globe have converged in Abidjan, Cote D’ Ivoire
for the second ECOWAS Lassa Fever international conference.
Leading scientists, researchers, public health advocates, policymakers, and health practitioners will meet from 8 to 11 September 2025, for the conference, an international forum dedicated to tackling one of West Africa’s most persistent public health challenges.
The conference is organised by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO), in collaboration with regional and international partners.
This year’s conference ( ELFIC 2025 )
is themed “Beyond Borders: Strengthening Regional Cooperation to combat Lassa and emerging Infectious Diseases”.
It would provide a platform for sharing the latest scientific advances, innovative control strategies and collaborative approaches for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Lassa fever.
Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic fever endemic in parts of West Africa, associated with high morbidity and mortality.
A statement from WAHO said the four-day conference will begin with an opening ceremony led by the
Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, Robert Beugré Mambé, and will feature keynote addresses, high-level
panels and technical workshops covering:
• Advances in vaccine and diagnostic development.
• Community engagement and preparedness strategies.
• Surveillance, outbreak response and cross-border collaboration.
• Policy frameworks for sustainable control and elimination.
The conference will also feature a high-level ministerial roundtable discussion co-convened by the Director General of the West African Health Organisation, Dr. Melchior Athanase AÏSSI, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Nigeria, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and the Minister for Health, Public Hygiene and Universal Health Coverage in Côte d’Ivoire M. Pierre N’Gou Dimba.
Lassa fever remains a serious public health threat, where one in five infections result in severe disease, and
the virus affects several organs, such as the liver, spleen and kidneys.
The lack of a vaccine and the absence of an approved antiviral drug for Lassa fever drives serious socio-economic
consequences, particularly for rural and underserved communities.
ELFIC 2025 will foster dialogue between scientists, policymakers and communities to ensure that research outcomes are translated into
tangible action.
