 In 2000 , Conteh coauthored a study published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology comparing the efficacy and outcome of diagnosing Lassa fever patients with the indirect fluorescent @-@ antibody ( IFA ) test and the enzyme @-@ linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA ) . According to Iruka N. Okeke , the study " focused specifically on the development of a diagnostic test for Lassa fever " . In 2001 , Conteh travelled to London , England to attend an international conference on Lassa fever where he presented a paper on managing the disease . Conteh returned to London in September 2003 to receive the " Spirit of Merlin " award for his outstanding role in " saving lives and alleviating suffering " . 
