LatestWest African laboratory scientists, meeting in Lomé, urged governments to bolster outbreak detection and diagnostic capacity to prevent a repeat of Ebola and COVID-19 crises, warning that weakening health systems and dependence on Western vaccines leave the region vulnerable. A regional conference and leaders like Arthur Garber stress using past outbreaks to strengthen surveillance and urge African governments to prioritize epidemic prevention and invest in diagnostics across the continent.Sep 18, 2026