Lassa fever research priorities: towards effective medical countermeasures by the end of the decade.
Moore KA., Ostrowsky JT., Mehr AJ., Johnson RA., Ulrich AK., Moua NM., Fay PC., Hart PJ., Golding JP., Benassi V., Preziosi M-P., Adetifa IM., Akpede GO., Ampofo WK., Asogun DA., Barrett ADT., Bausch DG., de Coster I., Emperador DM., Feldmann H., Fichet-Calvet E., Formenty PBH., Garry RF., Grant DS., Günther S., Gupta SB., Jaspard M., Mazzola LT., Okogbenin SA., Roth C., Schmaljohn CS., Osterholm MT.
In 2016, WHO designated Lassa fever a priority disease for epidemic preparedness as part of the WHO Blueprint for Action to Prevent Epidemics. One aspect of preparedness is to promote development of effective medical countermeasures (ie, diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines) against Lassa fever. Diagnostic testing for Lassa fever has important limitations and key advancements are needed to ensure rapid and accurate diagnosis. Additionally, the only treatment available for Lassa fever is ribavirin, but controversy exists regarding its effectiveness. Finally, no licensed vaccines are available for the prevention and control of Lassa fever. Ongoing epidemiological and behavioural studies are also crucial in providing actionable information for medical countermeasure development, use, and effectiveness in preventing and treating Lassa fever. This Personal View provides current research priorities for development of Lassa fever medical countermeasures based on literature published primarily in the last 5 years and consensus opinion of 20 subject matter experts with broad experience in public health or the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines for Lassa fever. These priorities provide an important framework to ensure that Lassa fever medical countermeasures are developed and readily available for use in endemic and at-risk areas by the end of the decade.