A Cross-Disciplinary Alliance to Identify, PREdict and prePARe for Emerging Vector-Borne Diseases

Project Information

PREPARE4VBD

Grant agreement ID: 101000365

DOI

10.3030/101000365

Project closed

EC signature date 5 May 2021

Start date 1 September 2021

End date 31 August 2025

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy

Total cost

€ 6 048 271,25

EU contribution

€ 6 048 271,25

Coordinated by

KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET
Denmark

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - PREPARE4VBD (A Cross-Disciplinary Alliance to Identify, PREdict and prePARe for Emerging Vector-Borne Diseases)

Reporting period: 2023-03-01 to 2024-08-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The overall aim of PREPARE4VBD is to improve preparedness in Africa and Europe for a new Era of emerging zoonotic vector-borne diseases under climate change and globalization. More specifically, PREPARE4VBD focus on four thematic areas that aim to A) build knowledge of neglected tick-, mosquito- and snail-borne VBDs of importance for animal and human health in endemic African countries; B) assess their capacity to adapt and spread to new areas using a holo-genomics approach and state-of-art climate change impact modelling; C) develop novel diagnostic tools and model-based surveillance for rapid VBD discoveries and early warning; and D) strengthen the capacity for detection and surveillance of the targeted VBDs through training and effective communication of project results and dissemination of freely available data.

The consortium is highly multidisciplinary and consist of 10 complementary partner institutions in Europe and Africa, including leading capacities in mosquito- tick- and snail-borne diseases of livestock and humans.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Since its inception in September 2021, the project has made significant strides. Numerous peer-reviewed publications, presentations, and stakeholder engagement activities have been completed. The project website has been regularly updated with new resources and a blog. Collaborative research has included successful cross-country experiments, such as a massive vector snail warming experiments across different climatic regions. This major research highlight in the current reporting period, required very close collaboration and synchronized efforts across several of the project partners. It included a large replicate vector snail warming experiments across a vast continental and climatic gradient, all the way from our partner in South Africa all the way to Denmark. It also entailed the development of a detailed standardized experimental (SOP) and training videos that are now available on the project web- and YouTube site.

Other key scientific highlights in the current period include the development of a Global Vector Database (GVD) for centralizing vector data; the creation of several non-invasive, on-site suitable diagnostic tools for early vector and vector borne disease detection; the establishment of a core tick sample cohort for genomic analyses; implementation of a strong ex vivo system for VBD susceptibility testing following the RRR principles; development and comparison of various statistical and transmission models for forecasting the mosquito-borne viral disease Rift Valley Fever (RVF). The project has furthermore developed and executed two summer-schools, the latest on project developed molecular diagnostic tools for vectors and vector-borne pathogens and an engaging early career researcher poster session that successfully accomplished at the annual meeting at icipe, Kenya in February 2024. The project has also successful completed of its 3rd Annual project meeting, held in Kenya in February 2024. The meeting was attended by almost 50 delegates from eight different countries and 10 partner Institutions, including leading experts and early career researchers in vector-borne disease research in Africa and Europe. Overall, the PREPARE4VBD summer-schools and project meetings have so far successfully served to facilitate knowledge transfer and collaborations among the project partners and beyond, and thus playing a key role in reducing barriers and silos across different vector- and vector borne disease research fields.

The project aims to continue disseminating its findings widely, culminating in a final meeting and stakeholder outreach event in Uganda in May 2025.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The Scientific Advisory Board has praised the PREPARE4VBD project as a model example of collaboration between the Global North and Global South. The project has developed several useful scientific results, tools, and guidelines that are expected to have significant impacts soon or in the future. As the project enters its final phase, efforts are being ramped up to share these results and tools with all relevant stakeholders, not just through scientific publications but also through broader outreach. This will culminate in a major meeting and outreach event in Uganda in May 2025, hosted by the Ministry of Health in Uganda, where a comprehensive overview of the project’s results will be presented to stakeholders, including policymakers. Preparations for this event are already underway, with discussions on the best formats and materials to use, such as policy briefs and video materials.
Although it is still early to see the full impact on socio-economics and policy, significant progress has already been made. The project has compiled extensive data on disease occurrences of its target diseases and their vector species, which includes the creation of a Global Vector Database (GVD) for centralizing vector data and mapping disease vectors across Africa. This has already improved knowledge and will help develop stronger surveillance systems. The project has also created new maps to assess the risk of spread of diseases and their vectors under climate change scenarios. An unexpected discovery of an Ixodes tick species in Kenya, known mainly from Europe and previously only found on migratory birds, could have significant implications for disease control in the region. Further studies are needed to understand this better.

To improve rapid on-site detection of disease vectors, the project has developed three new diagnostic tools. These include an automated microscope device for detecting snail-borne infections, a quick PCR test for pathogens in livestock blood and tick fluids, and an environmental DNA method for detecting liver fluke parasites in environmental samples. These tools have been demonstrated to partners and stakeholders, with further dissemination expected via webinars and at the final meetings.

The project aims to improve the prevention and control of target diseases. Early efforts in Uganda and Tanzania have already guided strategies to combat fascioliasis, a disease affecting both humans and livestock. These strategies include health education campaigns, improved access to clean water, distribution of treatment drugs, and strengthened veterinary services. The project has also led to the first detection of liver fluke infections in humans in Uganda, highlighting the need for better prevention and control policies.

The tools and models developed by the project are cost-effective and can detect multiple species in one sample, which can be preserved on-site. This will help target resources more effectively for controlling diseases and vectors in the long run.

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