Two decades at the frontline of West Africa's viral threats.
Founded in 2007 within Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, IVEPCR has grown from a single-pathogen Lassa fever centre into a multi-disciplinary institute with nine operational units.
The Institute of Viral and Emergent Pathogens Control and Research (IVEPCR) is a centre of excellence housed within Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH), in Edo State, Nigeria. Established in 2007 — formerly known as the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control — IVEPCR serves as a national reference centre for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
Over the past two decades, the Institute has played a critical role in outbreak detection, laboratory confirmation, sequencing activities and clinical research for high-consequence pathogens including Lassa fever, Ebola, Dengue, Yellow fever and Mpox.
ISTH is a foremost federal teaching hospital located 87 km from Benin City. Its current Chief Medical Director is Prof. Reuben Agbons Eifediyi; IVEPCR is currently led under directorship of Dr. Joseph Okoeguale.
Advance diagnostics, research, training and response capability for emerging infectious diseases across West Africa.
A regional centre of excellence shaping global pathogen surveillance and pandemic preparedness.
Strengthen biosafety, biosecurity and biorisk management for safe, high-consequence laboratory operations.
Foundations for high-consequence work.
In the tropics along the VHF belt with other endemic and emerging pathogens.
Diverse cross-disciplinary experts with cognate experience across virology and clinical care.
Successive institutional leadership prioritising emerging and re-emerging pathogens control.
A young, vibrant, resilient workforce ensuring sustainability of built capacities.
A long-standing centre for research and control of emerging diseases in West Africa.
Built over years through embedded community structures and continuous engagement.
Category-B IRB registered with the US OHRP, with current Federal-Wide Assurance status.
Engagement with DTRA, WHO and global research networks.
National laboratory for confirmation and sequencing of high-consequence pathogens.
Building on BSL-3 capacity.
With the successful expansion to BSL-3 laboratory capacity already in place, IVEPCR is strengthening its capabilities in preclinical studies, immunology, and vaccinology, positioning the Institute to manage high-priority and imported pathogens with the highest standards of biosafety and biosecurity.
Lassa Fever Visioneers.
The pioneering minds whose vision built the foundation for Lassa fever research and control at ISTH.
Past Directors.
Successive directors have shaped the Institute's mission — from its founding as the Institute of Lassa Fever Research and Control to today's broader mandate.
