Descrizione del progetto
Un nuovo approccio alla sorveglianza degli agenti patogeni in Etiopia
Patologie quali Zika, dengue, Ebola e COVID-19 hanno messo in evidenza la sempre più urgente necessità di disporre di dati genomici in tempo reale sugli agenti patogeni. L’Africa, che deve affrontare sfide uniche in termini di infrastrutture, integrazione dei dati e collaborazione, si trova in un momento di svolta critico per quanto concerne i suoi sforzi volti a garantire la salute pubblica. In quest’ottica, il progetto EpiGen Ethiopia, finanziato dall’UE, mira a rafforzare la risposta di questo paese alle malattie infettive. Il progetto integrerà in modo ottimale dati clinici, epidemiologici e genomici relativi agli agenti patogeni e promuoverà reti di collaborazione per assicurare un ambiente sanitario pubblico resiliente e informato. Questa iniziativa di collaborazione, che unisce varie istituzioni etiopi e diversi partner dell’UE, segna un salto di qualità nella lotta dell’Etiopia contro le patologie infettive. Il modello di EpiGen promette di offrire resilienza a livello locale, nonché un contributo alla sicurezza sanitaria globale.
Obiettivo
The 21st century witnesses increased incidence of epidemics (Zika, dengue, Ebola, SARS), with as latest highlight the recent COVID-19. Following the outbreak of several infectious diseases during the last few decade, the need for generating real-time pathogen genomic data for public health action has become more important than ever. In the African context, infrastructure, human resource capability, data analysis, including bioinformatics, lack of linkage between clinical, epidemiological, and pathogen genomic data as well the interaction between clinicians, researchers and decision makers are some of the major challenges. The aim of the EpiGen project is to build a capacity for integrated pathogen genomic surveillance for informed public health decision process. The overarching specific objectives include strengthening collection and analysis of clinical and epidemiological data, enhancing the capacity and capability for pathogen genomic sequencing, including strengthening the laboratory infrastructure, human work force, pathogen genomic data analysis, and the integration of metadata with genomic data, developing and implementing innovative digital diagnostic platforms, creating semi-real time mobile phone applications for policy decisions, and promoting communities of practice and knowledge exchange through fostering African collaboration and networking in the domain of pathogen genomic surveillance for infectious diseases. EpiGen project’s multi-disciplinary consortium is drawn from several institutions from Ethiopia engaged in National Public Health Programs, and EU partners (The Netherlands, Spain and Germany). Overall, the model approach proposed by EpiGen will enhance Ethiopia’s national effort in mitigating the threat of infectious diseases. The implementation of a national genomic-informed surveillance for infectious diseases will play significant public health role towards contributing to disease prevention and control programmes in Ethiopia and beyond.
Campo scientifico
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdata science
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesgenetics
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencespublic healthepidemiology
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesRNA virusesebola
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesRNA virusescoronaviruses
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
- HORIZON.2.1 - Health Main Programme
Meccanismo di finanziamento
HORIZON-JU-RIA - HORIZON JU Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinatore
1105 BP Amsterdam
Paesi Bassi