West African scientists urge governments to strengthen outbreak detection
Scientists from West Africa met in Lome and urged governments to strengthen capacity to detect disease outbreaks and invest in diagnostic laboratories to avoid another major epidemic, saying health systems across the region are becoming weaker. They cited lessons from the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak that killed at least 11,000 people and from COVID-19, and warned of recent threats including a Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in Congo since mid-May with over 3,600 reported deaths among nearly 7,500 cases and a hantavirus detection off Cape Verde. Speakers emphasized cooperation and investment in people as well as infrastructure to improve early detection.
Regional scientists called for stronger disease detection and diagnostic investment.
Context
Scientists met in Lome to review regional preparedness after past epidemics. They noted the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak and recent Congo and Cape Verde events. Governments may next be asked to fund diagnostics and staff training.
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