E-DRUG: Lassa fever - Nigeria (21): new therapeutics and vaccine development
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Source: Premium Times [edited]
https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/543710-nigeria-govt-set-to-develop-lassa-fever-vaccine.html
The Nigerian government has announced plans to develop new
therapeutics and a vaccine for Lassa fever, a viral hemorrhagic fever
caused by the Lassa virus.
The minister of health, Osagie Ehanire, while speaking at the opening
of a 3-day national case management training on Lassa fever in Abuja
on Tuesday [19 Jul 2022], said this is part of efforts to ensure a
decline in Lassa fever cases until it ceases to become a public health
threat in Nigeria.
Represented by the minister of state for health, Ekumankama Joseph, he
said the government is engaging with the World Health Organisation
(WHO) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI)
for the development of new therapeutics and a vaccine for the
disease. Mr. Ehanire said that Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) will
also play a critical role in the development of the Lassa fever
vaccine.
He explained that Lassa fever has become endemic in some states in the
country while others record regular outbreaks. The minister also noted
that the country has witnessed a sharp rise in the number of confirmed
Lassa fever cases, including health workers' infections in the last 5
years. "Hence, reinforcing the need to build capacities to adequately manage
cases when they arise," he said.
INTEGRATE Consortium
At the event, the minister inaugurated the INTEGRATE consortium to be
led by Nigeria working with international partners and the WHO to
articulate and prepare centers for clinical trials.
"The recent COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that we cannot afford to
undermine any effort put in addressing and reducing high-risk viral
pathogens like Lassa fever, as not only can they mutate and prove a
new threat, but globalization can quickly lead to the spread of the
disease to non-endemic countries," he added.
Speaking at the event, the chief medical director, ISTH, Sylvanus
Okogbenin, said the INTEGRATE consortium is a global alliance against
Lassa fever. Mr. Okogbenin said the ISTH has taken the lead and formed this
consortium with both Nigerian partners and international partners.
"The Nigerian partners, for now, are the Federal Medical Centre Owo
and the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital. We are also hoping to soon
include the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital and the
Teaching Hospital in Bauchi," he said. He explained that the consortium is to work with the WHO and other
international bodies for the development of new drugs and vaccines for
Lassa fever.
"We strongly believe we can get a potent vaccine for Lassa fever, and
evidence is showing that if we do that, then we can almost completely
remove Lassa fever as a disease entity," he said.
In his remarks, WHO country representative, Walter Mulombo, said the
organization will continue to support Nigeria's efforts aimed at
eliminating Lassa fever. Mr. Mulombo said special focus will be on
research to ensure the world tackles the virus once and for all.
Lassa fever was first discovered in Nigeria in 1969 and has steadily
become endemic in many communities. Although found in many West
African countries, Nigeria has recorded the highest prevalence in the
recent past, with annual outbreaks of public health concern.
In 2018, WHO prioritized Lassa fever as a highly infectious disease in
need of urgent research and countermeasures including vaccine
development.
Mr Okogbenin said as of week 26 in 2022, the Nigeria Centre for
Disease Control (NCDC) has reported 829 confirmed cases with 160
deaths. He noted that a particularly worrisome aspect is healthcare
workers' infection and deaths. "This year alone, 53 healthcare workers
have been infected, with several deaths," he said.
Mr Okogbenin said the objectives of the training are spelt out in its
theme and sub-theme: "Reducing mortality in Lassa fever patients and
building capacity for case management."
He said the training aims to address the prevention of healthcare
workers' infection and death. He noted that it will also pay
particular attention to the issues of pregnant women with Lassa fever
disease.
"In 2022 alone, several healthcare workers across the country were
infected during cesarean section following missed diagnosis in
pregnant women," he said.
He noted that highly trained and motivated clinicians and healthcare
workers with a high index of suspicion, early diagnosis, early
commencement of treatment, and availability of intensive care
facilities have significantly reduced mortality.
"If this is done well, healthcare workers will be able to better
manage patients who have Lassa fever; they will be better able to
recognize the disease and know the appropriate treatment to give, and
that goes a long way in ensuring recovery. We will also be focused on
ensuring that healthcare workers don't get infected during the process
of treating their patients," he said.
He said the training will leverage the knowledge, practice, and
experience of the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control,
ISTH.
[Byline: Nike Adebowale-Tambe]
Communicated by:
ProMED-EAFR
[Lassa fever is endemic in many parts of Nigeria. As of week 26 of
2022, there have been 829 reported confirmed cases and 160 reported
deaths (giving a case fatality rate of about 19%). The numbers may be
much higher due to poor reporting or poor utilization of healthcare
facilities. Although Lassa fever was first described in Nigeria in
1969, there is no vaccine available yet to prevent the disease.
Ribavirin is used to treat Lassa fever, but it is only effective if
used within the early days of infection. It is a welcome development
for the Nigerian government, in collaboration with international
partners, to develop a vaccine for the disease and explore new
therapeutics for the treatment of the disease. - Mod.]
Bruneton Carinne
E-Med@healthnet.org
<carinne.bruneton@gmail.com>