Submission ID 131569
| Issue/Objective | The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region continues to experience a high and evolving burden of epidemic-prone diseases, driven by rapid urbanization, population mobility, climate variability, and persistent health system vulnerabilities. In 2025, a notable epidemiological transition emerged, characterized by the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) alongside the expansion of zoonotic infections. These patterns raise critical concerns for regional resilience and global health security, particularly in a context of cross-border transmission risks. |
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| Methodology/Approach | We conducted a descriptive epidemiological analysis using surveillance data from 12 West African countries, examining outbreak occurrence, morbidity, mortality, and disease distribution from 2020 to 2025. A comparative analysis of 2024 - 2025 data was undertaken to assess shifts in disease burden and transmission dynamics. Data were synthesized from routine surveillance reports, regional epidemiological bulletins, and outbreak datasets to identify trends across major epidemic-prone diseases. |
| Results | IIn 2025, a series of outbreaks involving 16 epidemic-prone diseases were reported across the region. VPDs dominated the epidemiological profile, with measles and diphtheria as leading cause of mortality among VPDs. Compared to 2024, measles cases increased from 8,960 to 21,995 whereas diphtheria rose more sharply from 4,733 to 15,862 cases with deaths increasing from 285 to 1,013, indicating more severe outcomes. Mpox showed a dramatic surge, with confirmed cases increasing nearly 30-fold (10,534 in 2025 vs 366 in 2024), indicating intensified transmission and improved detection. Cholera and meningitis continued to contribute substantially to mortality, reflecting persistent gaps in case management and public health infrastructure. Zoonotic diseases, including Lassa fever and Rift Valley fever, demonstrated sustained endemicity and episodic amplification, highlighting ongoing One Health vulnerabilities. Overall, the trends reflect a convergence of immunization gaps, improved surveillance sensitivity, environmental drivers, and increased cross-border population movement. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | The 2025 epidemiological landscape in West Africa signals a significant shift toward the resurgence of VPDs underscoring the need for integrated and equitable health system strengthening. Priorities include restoring routine immunization, expanding laboratory capacity, and reinforcing cross-border coordination mechanisms. Coordinated regional investments are essential to mitigate future outbreaks, address underlying determinants of vulnerability, and advance health security in an increasingly interconnected and uncertain global context. |
| Presenters and Affiliations | Victor Fatimehin ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control Mamadou Diarrassouba ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control Babacar Fall ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control Franck Ale ECOWAS Regional Centre for Surveillance and Disease Control |
