National Institute of Health

Official announcement on international collaborative research for Lassa Fevers virus in Africa

by sponsored by the Korea National Institute of Health (KNIH), KDCA

[Preface]

The Korea National Institute of Health (KNIH), a research institute under the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), is committed to advancing global public health through comprehensive research on infectious and non-infectious diseases.

Infectious diseases continue to represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In particular, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases - including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF) pathogens - pose persistent and evolving threats to global health. These diseases require in-depth investigation to better understand pathogen biology, host–pathogen interactions, and transmission dynamics. Viral hemorrhagic fevers, in particular, remain a significant public health challenge in several regions of Africa, with the potential to cause large-scale outbreaks and cross-border transmission.

Ensuring global health security against VHF viruses necessitates strong and sustained international collaboration, especially to prevent and mitigate human infections at their source. From this perspective, the availability of rapid, accurate, and field-applicable diagnostic tools is a critical component of effective surveillance, early detection, and outbreak response.

In line with this need, KNIH seeks to strengthen international laboratory-based collaborative networks with partner institutions in Africa. Through this international cooperation program, KNIH will support joint research activities, including the field evaluation of a KNIH-developed Lassa virus rapid diagnostic test and related serological investigations. In parallel, the program aims to explore opportunities for expanded collaborative research on Lassa virus, thereby contributing to enhanced regional diagnostic capacity, evidence-based preparedness, and long-term global health security.

[Project Schema]

1.Project Title

  - Field Evaluation of Immunological Technique for Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Infection (Lassa virus) 

2. Funding

  - Selected African countries (or institutes) will be provided with approximately USD 34,000 per year (KRW 50,000,000).

  Note: The final budget will be adjusted with the results of reviewer’s evaluation.

3. Research Period: 2026 – December 2027

  - (1st Year) 2026. After the contract – December 31, 2026

  - (2nd Year) January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2027

4. Objectives and Key Areas of Interest

  - Serological Survey: Conduct serological investigations of Lassa virus (LASV) within the Africa region.

  - Clinical Sample Acquisition: Systematic collection and securing of clinical specimens from patients presenting with suspected Lassa fever symptoms.

  - Technology Verification: Evaluate and validate KNIH-developed Lassa virus antigen and antibody diagnostic technologies using clinical specimens.

  - Screening and Analysis: Perform real-time detection and screening of suspected LASV samples.

  - Market and Resource Survey: Research the current landscape of LASV diagnostic technology development and commercialization procedures within Africa.

  - Resource Sharing: Facilitate the sharing of research resources, including clinical specimens, through established Material Transfer Agreements (MTA).

  - Network Establishment: Build a robust international collaboration framework for the field evaluation of VHF control technologies and resource collection.

5. Affiliation: Government Institute, University, Hospital, etc

6. Submission and Reporting

  - Format: Applications must be written in English using MS Word.

  - Deadline: All applications must be submitted via e-mail by February 19, 2026.

  < Address for Airmail > 

  • e-mail : yms37@korea.kr

  • Division of Emerging virus & Vector Research

  • Center for Emerging Virus Research, National Institute of Health 

  • Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 

      187, Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Cheongju-si, 

      Chungcheongbuk-do 28159, South Korea

  • TEL : +82-43-719-8510

• KNIH Program Proposal(Form)