Project description
Rapid response to clade Ib monkeypox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo
In September 2023, a cluster of monkeypox cases in Kamituga, South Kivu province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), led to the identification of a new virus, clade Ib. Divergent from previously circulating strains in the DRC, its rapid spread and severe symptoms necessitate accelerated research. The EU-funded JUA KIVU project is already linked with other capacity-building projects in the area and will work with local researchers and authorities on targeted research objectives. These include identifying the source, understanding virus adaptation, characterising the immunological response in selected populations, determining the extent of the outbreak, and investigating the role of co-infections and treatment guidance methods.
Objective
We recently described the novel clade Ib mpox virus from Kamituga, South Kivu, which fast spread in the region and severe symptoms are the reason for the emergency call for mpox research. Further information on its transmission, origin, adaptation, the protective serological response from different population groups, possibilities to improve frontline treatment and possibilities for early detection of the extent of the outbreak is urgently needed to combat the outbreak.
The research proposed here is in close collaboration with local researchers and authorities and linked with already established capacity building projects covering DRC, Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania. We aim to 1) determine the adaptation of the novel clade by performing on-site whole genome sequencing on a unique already available isolate collection covering the duration of the outbreak, 2) identify the origin of this clade by investigating bush meat and hunters, 3) investigate the importance of co-infections and the potential usefulness of real-time metagenomic sequencing treatment guidance, 4) determine the extent of the outbreak by serological and pit latrine surveillance in the cross-border regions of DRC, Burundi, Rwanda and Tanzania and 5) determine the specific immunological response to the novel clade from selected populations.
We are uniquely positioned to conduct the proposed research, as we have the necessary technical skills and competences through on-going activities, all ethical permission are in place to investigate mpox as a disease X scenario and we have established collaboration with cross-border health authorities.
We expect to create knowledge on the evolution and epidemiology of the novel clade, information on the expected immune response, and novel methods to perform early warning surveillance and improved treatment including of secondary infections. Almost all data generation and analyses will be performed locally, thus also ensuring capacity building for future epidemics.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology virology
- medical and health sciences health sciences public health epidemiology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine immunology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.1 - Health
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-JU-RIA - HORIZON JU Research and Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-JU-GH-EDCTP3-2024-Mpox
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
3015 GD Rotterdam
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.