Follow Us on Google
A TETFund-funded research team from the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo (FUHSO), has identified sustained community transmission of Lassa fever in Benue State, recommending that the state be prioritised for surveillance and public health interventions due to its high disease burden and large population of internally displaced persons.
Presenting findings from a major Lassa fever study funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the principal investigator, Prof. Joseph Okopi, said the project had generated fresh evidence suggesting that transmission of the disease may not be limited to previously known pathways, with the findings to be documented in three scientific publications.
He also disclosed that the research team had established a modern laboratory that would continue to support investigations into emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases beyond the lifespan of the study.
Okopi also noted that the study confirmed sustained community transmission in Benue, where the concentration of internally displaced persons is almost twice that of the next highest state, making the area particularly vulnerable.
He suggested the need to identify critical transmission hotspots within the state to enable authorities to track infections more effectively and implement targeted control measures.
The study further revealed that rodents other than the commonly implicated Mastomys species can harbour the Lassa virus, specifically identifying Rattus rattus as another reservoir, indicating that disease control efforts should broaden beyond the traditional focus.
Describing Lassa fever as a global health concern, he warned that Nigeria’s high transmission rate poses risks beyond its borders due to increased international travel and population movement.
Among the study’s key recommendations were targeted state-level surveillance, expanded multidisciplinary research under the One Health approach, additional genomic studies to understand why many people in Benue are exposed to the virus without developing severe disease, and greater investment in point-of-care diagnostic tools capable of rapidly confirming infections close to affected communities.
The researchers therefore called for the establishment of a National Lassa Virus Research Network that would include Benue and other previously overlooked states, saying the new evidence justifies their inclusion in national response strategies.
They further appealed for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases at the university to strengthen Nigeria’s research capacity and build on the achievements recorded by the team over the past five years.
Reflecting on the challenges encountered during the project, the researchers disclosed that one doctor involved in the study contracted Lassa fever but recovered, while a field researcher was kidnapped during fieldwork in Kano State before being released.
He also cited the volatility of the naira as a significant challenge that affected the implementation of the research.
Other News
He concluded by expressing confidence that, with greater institutional support and investment, the research team could make even more significant contributions to combating infectious diseases in Nigeria.
Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Uba Francis, in his remarks, said the institution had demonstrated the scientific expertise, research infrastructure and collaborative capacity required to lead infectious disease research in Nigeria.
He maintained that such a designation would consolidate the gains of the Lassa fever project while positioning the university to provide sustained leadership in research, surveillance, innovation, capacity building and evidence-based responses to emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases across Nigeria and Africa.
He said: “About four years ago, TETFund demonstrated remarkable foresight by awarding the university a N250 million Mega Research Grant. The intervention was more than financial support to us. It was a vote of confidence in the ability of our researchers to develop homegrown solutions to pressing public health challenges.”
He noted that Lassa fever remains one of Nigeria’s most significant public health threats, with recurring outbreaks that continue to claim lives, overstretch healthcare facilities and undermine national health security.
The Vice-Chancellor said the completed research had generated valuable scientific evidence that would deepen understanding of the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment and control of Lassa fever.
Beyond the scientific findings, he said the project had strengthened FUHSO’s research infrastructure, expanded laboratory capacity, trained young researchers, fostered national and international collaborations, and produced evidence capable of influencing clinical practice and public health policy.
He commended TETFund, under the leadership of its Executive Secretary, Sonny Echono, for investing in the university and empowering Nigerian scientists to conduct globally relevant research with direct local impact.
The Vice-Chancellor also praised the principal investigators and members of the research team for their dedication, resilience and professionalism throughout the project, describing their achievements as a reflection of the university’s vision of becoming a centre of excellence in health sciences education, research, innovation and service.
He assured that the university would work to ensure that the findings are widely disseminated, translated into policy where appropriate, and used as a foundation for further research into emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
The Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny Echono, in his remarks, commended the researchers for conducting thorough research with a commendable outcome.
Echono said the research demonstrated the value of investing in locally driven scientific solutions and assured that the findings would be forwarded to relevant health authorities to guide policy decisions and strengthen Nigeria’s response to Lassa fever.
