The University of Maryland School of Medicine Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health announced on July 14 the launch of a research study aimed at understanding how Lassa fever survivors fight and overcome infection. The project, titled "Identification and Immunologic Characterization of Adult Lassa Fever Survivors in Nigeria," is a collaboration between the Center for Vaccine Development, the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria International Research Center of Excellence, and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi State.
Lassa fever remains a significant public health threat in Nigeria and West Africa, where it is endemic. The disease is caused by the Lassa virus, an Old World arenavirus primarily hosted by Mastomys natalensis rats. Human transmission occurs mainly through contact with food or household items contaminated by rodent urine or feces. According to recent reports from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, there was a case fatality rate of 25.1% in 2026 with outbreaks reported across 21 out of Nigeria's 37 states; most cases were concentrated in Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Benue, and Edo states. There is currently no licensed vaccine for Lassa fever despite ongoing efforts to develop one.
The collaborative study will last twelve months and aims to provide deeper insight into natural immunity following infection with the Lassa virus. Researchers plan to use data from survivors as a reference point for ongoing and future vaccine trials targeting Lassa fever. The study will also engage communities to minimize risk factors associated with transmission while establishing a repository of clinical data and biological samples that can serve as long-term resources for scientific research.
The project will leverage existing laboratory infrastructure at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital and the Institute’s ISO-accredited facility in Jos as well as its regional biorepository facility located on the IHVN campus in Abuja.
Funding comes from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases under contract HHSN272201700082C with Thomas Jefferson University through collaboration with both Nigerian partners. Officials emphasized that content generated by this research does not necessarily represent official views of funding agencies.
Professor Alash'le Abimiku, principal investigator at IHVN-IRCE, said: "This study represents an important step forward in our collective efforts to better work with communities to reduce behaviors and exposures that increase the risk of Lassa virus infection. By studying Lassa fever survivors in Nigeria, we are generating locally grounded evidence that will directly inform vaccine development and ultimately save lives." Dr. Suleiman Yusuf from ATBUTH added: "Bauchi state has increasingly experienced cases of Lassa fever and has the clinical and laboratory infrastructure to contribute to knowledge that will lead to prevention and treatment... In addition my institution has a long-term relationship with communities... so that health workers recognize clinical symptoms..." Matthias J. Schnell from Thomas Jefferson University said: "Studying natural immune responses ... may help identify immune pathways ... These findings can provide important scientific context for ongoing efforts to design ... future vaccines."
