ALERRT Clinical research response to Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria (360G-Wellcome-212327_Z_18_Z)

Lassa fever has been identified as a priority disease by the WHO R & D Blueprint for Action to Prevent Epidemics. There is a need for improved diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines for Lassa fever. In response to the Lassa fever outbreak in Nigeria, the Africa coalition for Epidemic Research, Response and Training (ALERRT) has activated its research response mode. ALERRT Partner Organisations are already operational and working on the Lassa fever outbreak with Nigerian colleagues and plan to establish a prospective clincail cohort with teh objectives of: Standardising the characterisation of the clinical presentation, natural history, management and outcomes of patients hospitalised with Lassa virus infection in Nigeria; Identifying suitable clinical or surrogate endpoints for clinical trials of Lassa fever therapeutics; Generating biological data and resources to support the development of new Lassa fever diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines e.g. viral load and antibody kinetics; Developing healthcare sites for potential future clinical trials in Lassa fever patients, through training in clinical research skills, mentoring, and equipment.