By Lizzy Carr
Efforts to combat Lassa fever in Nigeria has received a significant boost as the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), in collaboration with the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), and the International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE), has launched a major research initiative in Bauchi State aimed at supporting the development of an effective vaccine and strengthening disease surveillance.
The Executive Director and Principal Investigator of IRCE/IHVN, process Alash’le Abimiku, disclosed this during a press briefing themed “Learning from Lassa Fever Survivors” held at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital.
Professor Abimiku explained that the 12-month study, titled Identification and Immunologic Characterization of Adult Lassa Fever Survivors in Nigeria, seeks to understand the immune responses of people who have survived the disease.
According to her, the research is being conducted through the International Research Center of Excellence in partnership with ATBUTH and the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
She said the findings will provide critical scientific evidence to support the development and evaluation of future Lassa fever vaccines. The project will also engage affected communities to reduce infection risks while establishing a repository of clinical data and biological samples for future research.
Professor Abimiku noted that the study will generate locally relevant evidence capable of strengthening vaccine development efforts and ultimately reducing deaths associated with Lassa fever.
” The study look at patients who survived lassa fever to understand their immunity,engage communities to change their practices towards rodents and also train clinicians to recognize lassa symptoms early “.
The Chief Medical Officer of ATBUTH, professor Jibril Yusuf Bara, stressed the need for increased public awareness on Lassa fever prevention, noting that Bauchi State has experienced a rise in reported cases and that an effective vaccine is urgently needed.
He added that the collaboration aligns with one of the hospital’s core mandates of promoting research to improve healthcare delivery.
The CMD said the hospital had to train it health personnel to suspect lassa fever among patients to avert contracting the virus.
“In 2022 we lost one of our medical Doctor to lassa fever, but as of now the virus is rare among staff due to the preventive action taken by management”.
Also speaking, the Head of the Department of Internal Medicine at ATBUTH,Dr Ibrahim Maigari, said the establishment of the hospital’s Lassa Fever Treatment Centre has significantly strengthened the management of cases in the state.
Dr. Maigari described the new research collaboration as another important milestone that will expand scientific research, improve understanding of the disease, and contribute to better prevention, diagnosis, and the eventual development of effective interventions, including vaccines.
He added that sustained public awareness and early diagnosis have greatly improved treatment outcomes at the hospital’s Lassa fever isolation center.
“Out of 10 patients who come into the isolation center, 8 of them leave fully recovered and this is because there is sustained community engagement”.
The State epidemiologist Dr Ahmed Mohammed said the research will also help identify solutions to frequent outbreaks of lassa fever, diphtheria, cholera, measles and Cerebral meningitis in the state.
Vice chancellor Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi Prof Ibrahim Hassan Garba said the institution is open for collaboration to promote research.
Group photograph at the programme
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