Lagos – Some experts on Monday said that there was need for increased surveillance and vaccine trials in the control of diseases such as Lassa fever.
The experts during a “One-day Symposium on Lassa Fever’’ organised by the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) in Lagos, said that availability of vaccines would help to protect against these viral illnesses.
According to them, this is also important as Lassa fever has also become endemic in Nigeria with huge recorded cases of fatalities.
Prof. Innocent Ujah, the Director General, NIMR , said “As a research institute, we are interested in understanding the epidemiology of the virus for disease surveillance and control to determine which hazards are most important.
“We are also keen on identifying the risk factors and need to clinically study the Lassa fever virus among humans to determine its effect and impact.
“It is imperative to conduct molecular study of the viral genome which could be characterised to improve diagnosis, treatment and control.
“Unfortunately, though Lassa fever has been with us for 47 years, the case fatality and the number of death this year is the highest so far in its history.
“The objective of this symposium is to further brainstorm on the biology, epidemiology, case management, public and health perspective, and focusing on the prevention of this endemic in Nigeria.
“There is need for protection and a major way toward protecting against Lassa is through vaccines; we do not have vaccines and we urgently need vaccine trials,’’ he said.
The director said that there was also need to proffer solutions, inform the government appropriately as well as sensitise the public in order to engage personal and environmental hygiene.
The chairman of the occasion, Prof. Maurice Iwu, said,“We want to have a system approach and not react to something that is happening.
“Lassa is not an accident; it has been with us since 1969.
“What we intend to do from this meeting is to be able to network and connect all the dots as nobody has all the answers and solution.
“We have the manpower, intellect and resources needed; so we want to take the efforts that people are making beyond to finding a solution.
“This is what is called system networking,’’ he said.
Iwu, who is the President of Bioresources Development Group, called on universities to base their research on local virus affecting Nigeria so as to get solutions in tackling them.
Also, the Chairman of Lassa Fever Control Committee, Prof. Oyewole Tomori, reiterated the need for good disease surveillance in Nigeria in order to promote early detection, diagnosis and control.
He said, “There should be total change in attitude to diseases in the country.
“The life of every Nigerian is very important and we must do whatever that is necessary to ensure its safety.
“Good surveillance and laboratories can contribute to curbing such diseases.
“We urge the government to promote the Lassa virus vaccine trials,’’ Iwu said. (NAN)
