FIND Showcases Seven Years of Impact in Lassa Fever Diagnostics at Abidjan Conference

FIND (the global alliance for diagnostics) will highlight its leadership in strengthening outbreak preparedness and equitable access to Lassa fever diagnostics at the 2nd Lassa Fever International Conference, taking place from 8–11 September 2025 in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.

FIND’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, will address the opening session on 9 September, underscoring how advances in diagnostics are bridging gaps in pandemic preparedness and reinforcing global health security.

Since 2018, FIND has implemented four multi-year projects across Nigeria, Liberia and Sierra Leone, in partnership with governments, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), and leading academic institutions. Achievements include:

• Expanding the number of laboratories in Nigeria able to test for Lassa fever from three to eight, reducing average diagnostic turnaround times from 8.5 days in 2018 to 6.3 days in 2023.
• Establishing biobanks in Nigeria and Liberia, with more than 3,500 high-quality samples archived to accelerate the development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics.
• Evaluating over a dozen diagnostic tools, providing essential data for CEPI-supported vaccine trials and enabling faster access to quality-assured tests.
• Training hundreds of laboratory professionals in Good Clinical and Laboratory Practices (GCLP), strengthening workforce capacity for outbreak response and research.
• Applying Diagnostic Network Optimisation (DNO) to improve specimen referral systems and laboratory access for faster emergency response.

Dr Adetifa stressed the urgent need for long-term investment: “Lassa fever is a predictable, seasonal threat in West Africa. Yet, its toll remains unacceptably high. Through powerful partnerships, FIND continues to support the much-needed groundwork – from laboratory strengthening to workforce development – for a resilient diagnostic ecosystem. Sustained investment in diagnostics is the critical missing link to turning the tide on this endemic disease and safeguarding our future.”

At the Abidjan conference, FIND will also present its newly published Target Product Profiles (TPPs) for Lassa fever diagnostics, alongside multiple abstracts covering laboratory network expansion and external quality assurance systems.