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Zika Preparedness Latin American Network

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.

Call for proposal

H2020-SC1-2016-2017

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Sub call

H2020-SC1-2016-RTD-Zika

Coordinator

UMEA UNIVERSITET
Net EU contribution
€ 1 680 618,75
Address
UNIVERSITETOMRADET
901 87 Umea
Sweden

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Region
Norra Sverige Övre Norrland Västerbottens län
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
€ 1 680 618,75

Participants (27)