Growing concerns over Lassa fever infections in northern Nigeria have prompted the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) and the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) to launch a major research project aimed at accelerating the development of a vaccine against the deadly disease.
The initiative, unveiled in Bauchi on Tuesday, will study people who survived Lassa fever to understand how their immune systems successfully fought the virus, with findings expected to support ongoing efforts to produce an effective vaccine.
The 12-month study, titled “Identification and Immunologic Characterization of Adult Lassa Fever Survivors in Nigeria,” is being carried out by IHVN’s International Research Centre of Excellence in collaboration with the Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
Addressing journalists during the launch, IHVN Executive Director and Nigerian Principal Investigator, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku, said researchers would also identify the five strains of the Lassa virus circulating in the region to ensure future vaccines are effective against variants affecting local communities.
She noted that while treatment exists for managing the disease, there is still no approved vaccine, making scientific research crucial to reducing the burden of Lassa fever.
According to her, studying survivors will provide valuable insights into the immune responses that protect against the virus, generating evidence that could shape vaccine development and future clinical trials.
Abimiku said the study would also establish a repository of clinical data and biological samples to support future research while leveraging existing laboratory facilities at ATBUTH,
