Reunion Island brings together scientists to study infectious diseases
The aim of the RUN-EMERGE (Supporting the research potential on emerging infectious diseases in La Réunion Island, an EU outermost region in the South-Western Indian Ocean) project was to help the University of La Reunion become a focus for EID research. Reunion Island is located in the tropics, close to eastern Africa and is considered a hot spot for the emergence of infectious diseases. Furthermore, its natural ecosystems have many endemic species that are host to specific diseases, making it ideal for the study of pathogens, vectors, reservoirs of disease and exposed human populations. Equipment purchased by RUN-EMERGENCE had a significant impact on the research programmes carried out by the Cyclotron Océan Indien (CYROI) and Pole de Protection (3P) research platforms into emerging viruses and leptospirosis. The new equipment will also benefit existing work into plant emerging pathogens, phytochemistry, ecology, immunology and social sciences. In addition, nine young scientists were recruited to reinforce the research capacity of La Reunion University’s task force into emerging infectious disease. Three of them were given placements in labs in the USA and Italy, in order to further their scientific training. Overall, the activities of the RUN-EMERGE initiative will reinforce research into infectious diseases, either emerging or at risk of emergence in the South-Western Indian Ocean. It will also integrate regional research into the European Research Area. Overtime it will raise the international profile of Reunion Island in the field of research, as well as improving the handling of local medical challenges.
Keywords
Reunion Island, emerging infectious diseases, centre of excellence, RUN-EMERGE, South-Western Indian Ocean, endemic species, leptospirosis
