WAHO and CEPI Launch Abuja Workshop to Convert Lassa Fever Research into West African Health Policy

Regional health experts and researchers from across West Africa have gathered in Abuja, Nigeria, for a high-level workshop aimed at converting scientific findings into robust public health policies. The initiative, running from August 17 to 21, 2026, focuses on synthesizing research presented at the 2025 ECOWAS International Lassa Fever Conference into peer-reviewed manuscripts. This collaborative effort is spearheaded by the West African Health Organisation (WAHO) in partnership with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), marking a significant step toward domesticating scientific knowledge for regional benefit. The workshop serves as a critical bridge between academic inquiry and practical application. Participants are receiving specialized guidance from subject matter experts to refine their research papers for submission to the Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health (JIEPH). By elevating these findings to the level of published scientific literature, WAHO aims to provide a more rigorous evidence base that can directly inform the decisions of health ministries across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This process ensures that the intellectual output of the 2025 conference translates into tangible strategies for disease control. Beyond publication, the broader objective of this initiative is to strengthen the research ecosystem within West Africa. WAHO and CEPI are working to enhance local research capacity and promote a culture of knowledge sharing among member states. By facilitating evidence-based policymaking, the organizations hope to create a more resilient health infrastructure capable of responding to Lassa fever and other endemic threats. The conference report, which highlights key priorities and recommendations, serves as a foundational reference for these ongoing prevention and mitigation efforts. As Lassa fever continues to pose a significant public health challenge in the sub-region, the transition from data to policy is more urgent than ever. This workshop represents a proactive approach to regional health security, ensuring that West African scientists are leading the narrative on diseases that disproportionately affect their populations. The successful publication of these papers is expected to provide health officials with the tools needed to implement more effective surveillance, treatment, and prevention protocols across the ECOWAS bloc.