Project description
Establishing a network for Zika preparedness and response
Epidemic outbreaks of the Zika virus (ZIKV) in 2015 and 2016 called attention to its association with congenital and neurological complications. Though case numbers declined, health authorities still regard ZIKV as a significant issue that requires further investigation. Through collaboration with global partners, the EU-funded ZikaPLAN project aims to thoroughly address research gaps and provide strategies for ZIKV prevention. To do so, it will conduct clinical trials to identify viral fitness and risk factors of congenital syndrome and neuro-related disorders, develop ZIKV-specific diagnostic tests and vaccine modelling, survey risks of geographic spread and create informed guidelines to mitigate future outbreaks. Overall, ZikaPLAN will establish a sustainable network for disease preparedness and response.
Objective
The ZikaPLAN initiative combines the strengths of 25 partners in Latin America, North America, Africa, Asia, and various centres in Europe to address the urgent research gaps (WP 1-8) in Zika, identifying short-and long term solutions (WP 9-10) and building a sustainable Latin-American EID Preparedness and Response capacity (WP 11-12).
We will conduct clinical studies to further refine the full spectrum and risk factors of congenital Zika syndrome (including neurodevelopmental milestones in the first 3 years of life), and delineate neurological complications associated with Zika due to direct neuroinvasion and immune-mediated responses. Laboratory based research to unravel neurotropism, investigate the role of sexual transmission, determinants of severe disease, and viral fitness will envelop the clinical studies.
Burden of disease and modelling studies will assemble a wealth of data including a longitudinal cohort study of 17,000 subjects aged 2-59 in 14 different geographic locations in Brazil over 3 years. Data driven vector control and vaccine modelling as well as risk assessments on geographic spread of Zika will form the foundation for evidence-informed policies.
The Platform for Diagnostics Innovation and Evaluation will develop novel ZIKV diagnostic tests in accordance with WHO Target Product Profiles. Our global network of laboratory and clinical sites with well-characterized specimens is set out to accelerate the evaluation of the performance of such tests.
Based on qualitative research, we will develop supportive, actionable messages to affected communities, and develop novel personal protective measures. Our final objective is for the Zika outbreak response effort to grow into a sustainable Latin-American network for emerging infectious diseases research preparedness. To this end we will engage in capacity building in laboratory and clinical research, collaborate with existing networks to share knowledge and tackle regulatory and other bottlenecks.
Fields of science
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacydrug discovery
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesRNA viruses
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencespublic health
- medical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugsvaccines
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineobstetrics
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
901 87 Umea
Sweden
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Participants (27)
WC1E 7HT London
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G12 8QQ Glasgow
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OX1 2JD Oxford
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E1 4NS London
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BT52 1SA Coleraine
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3000 Leuven
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3015 GD Rotterdam
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75724 Paris
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156951820 Barranquilla
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760032 Cali
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69227 Lyon
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
69007 Lyon
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
69002 Lyon
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L69 7ZX Liverpool
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92037 La Jolla Ca
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27599 Chapel Hill
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2000 ANTWERPEN
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05507 000 Sao Paulo
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05503000 Sao Paulo
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Rio De Janeiro
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21040 900 Rio De Janeiro
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11300 La Habana
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DAKAR Dakar
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4123 Allschwil
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Participation ended
151919 Seoul
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50100 010 Recife
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SW17 0RE London
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