Scientists from West Africa are holding a workshop to discuss and review progress on the largest-ever Lassa fever study, the Enable Lassa Research Programme.

Scientists to review largest-ever Lassa fever study

The study set up and funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations aims at providing a more detailed description of the epidemiology of Lassa fever in West Africa. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention leads the Nigerian component of the study while the project is also being conducted in Benin, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The event will take place from Saturday, October 22, to Monday, October 24, in Abuja Lassa fever is typically spread to humans by infected rodents, with severe cases potentially resulting in a haemorrhagic fever associated with a high risk of death. It is recognised by the WHO as a disease with epidemic potential A press statement jointly signed by CEPI and the NCDC noted that Enable aims to provide a better understanding of the actual Lassa disease burden across West Africa where there are regular outbreaks. largest-ever Lassa fever , It read in part “Launched in late 2020, Enable aims to provide a better understanding of the true Lassa disease burden across West Africa—where there are regular outbreaks—and to guide the development of vaccines against this epidemic threat. The Enable programme has been set up and funded by CEPI, which is established as one of the largest global funders of Lassa fever research. “First identified over fifty years ago, Lassa fever is typically spread when a person comes into contact with the body fluids of the infected rodent species Mastomys natalensis – otherwise known as the Natal multimammate mouse or rat – or food and other materials contaminated by its urine, faeces and saliva.

“Human-to-human transmission is possible but rare. While the majority of cases are asymptomatic, severe cases can result in bleeding, fever, body ache, and result in death in approximately one per cent of those infected. “In recognition of its epidemic potential and disease burden in the West African region, the World Health Organization R&D Blueprint listed Lassa Fever as one of nine emerging infectious diseases in urgent need of research and development activities.  largest-ever Lassa fever , “The disease is endemic in parts of West Africa, but recent modelling data suggests that climate change could cause Lassa fever to spread to other regions across the African continent. “Current knowledge about the annual burden of clinical Lassa fever is hindered by a lack of formal and standard clinical diagnoses for the illness and variability in symptoms. “To address this knowledge gap, Enable partners are carrying out assessments, including follow-up of study participants by in-person visits by health workers or via phone calls, to obtain a more accurate estimate of the population-level incidence of Lassa fever. “NCDC is leading the Nigerian component of Enable alongside other key partners. All Enable partners are using a core protocol and methods to allow for standardised assessments and comparable datasets across the countries.

Source: This news is originally publishhed by punchng

By Web Team

Technology Times Web team handles all matters relevant to website posting and management.