Zika: Zika virus surveillance in human and mosquito populations in Cape Verde
Lead Research Organisation:
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
The Zika virus, originally identified in Uganda, has spread rapidly across regions occupied by Aedes mosquitos in Africa, Asia, and recently to the Americas. Although originally only causing mild illness, the recent outbreak in Brazil has been linked to a sudden spike of
neurological disorders and congenital microcephaly cases. Since the current outbreak in the Americas, Cape Verde has become the first African country declaring an epidemic of Zika, reporting ~7000 cases since October 2015. The strong historical and economic links with
Brazil suggest that the Cape Verde epidemic is caused by the same viral strain. Due to Cape Verde’s international travel links there is a fear of the potentially severe viral strain spreading to mainland Africa and Europe.
To determine the origin and spread of infection, and support the implementation of a rapid public health response, we will perform a surveillance study of the Zika virus in Cape Verde.
We propose to provide accurate clinical and epidemiological data on Zika infection, by
(1) Identifying transmission hotspots, and survey Aedes mosquito populations therein;
(2) Using serological techniques to estimate Zika virus community exposure;
(3) Sequence viral samples sourced from the collected mosquitos and confirmed patient cases;
(4) Compare the genetic diversity of viral samples to sequenced strains from elsewhere
(Brazil, other African), thereby determining the origin of Zika infection in Cape Verde.
This project has a multidisciplinary approach- viro-entomo-epidemio-genomics working together to support the investigation of the Zika virus infection epidemic. The surveillance and research components of this proposal will support the development of timely effective actions to help contain Zika infections, and insights could assist other global control efforts,
especially in the Americas.
neurological disorders and congenital microcephaly cases. Since the current outbreak in the Americas, Cape Verde has become the first African country declaring an epidemic of Zika, reporting ~7000 cases since October 2015. The strong historical and economic links with
Brazil suggest that the Cape Verde epidemic is caused by the same viral strain. Due to Cape Verde’s international travel links there is a fear of the potentially severe viral strain spreading to mainland Africa and Europe.
To determine the origin and spread of infection, and support the implementation of a rapid public health response, we will perform a surveillance study of the Zika virus in Cape Verde.
We propose to provide accurate clinical and epidemiological data on Zika infection, by
(1) Identifying transmission hotspots, and survey Aedes mosquito populations therein;
(2) Using serological techniques to estimate Zika virus community exposure;
(3) Sequence viral samples sourced from the collected mosquitos and confirmed patient cases;
(4) Compare the genetic diversity of viral samples to sequenced strains from elsewhere
(Brazil, other African), thereby determining the origin of Zika infection in Cape Verde.
This project has a multidisciplinary approach- viro-entomo-epidemio-genomics working together to support the investigation of the Zika virus infection epidemic. The surveillance and research components of this proposal will support the development of timely effective actions to help contain Zika infections, and insights could assist other global control efforts,
especially in the Americas.
People |
ORCID iD |
Publications
Andreu N
(2017)
Primary macrophages and J774 cells respond differently to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
in Scientific reports
Auburn S
(2018)
Genomic analysis of a pre-elimination Malaysian Plasmodium vivax population reveals selective pressures and changing transmission dynamics.
in Nature communications
Broad JB
(2019)
Diverticulosis and nine connective tissue disorders: epidemiological support for an association.
in Connective tissue research
Campos M
(2020)
Surveillance of Aedes aegypti populations in the city of Praia, Cape Verde: Zika virus infection, insecticide resistance and genetic diversity.
in Parasites & vectors
Campos MC
(2017)
Genome-wide mutagenesis and multi-drug resistance in American trypanosomes induced by the front-line drug benznidazole.
in Scientific reports
Coll F
(2018)
Genome-wide analysis of multi- and extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
in Nature genetics
Dombrowski J
(2017)
G6PD deficiency alleles in a malaria-endemic region in the Western Brazilian Amazon
in Malaria Journal
Gomes AR
(2017)
Genetic diversity of next generation antimalarial targets: A baseline for drug resistance surveillance programmes.
in International journal for parasitology. Drugs and drug resistance
| Description | BBSRC UK-Philippines Swine & Poultry Research Initiative |
| Amount | £600,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/R013063/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2018 |
| End | 03/2021 |
| Description | Newton Institutional Links Grant |
| Amount | £279,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 261868591 |
| Organisation | British Council |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2017 |
| End | 04/2019 |
| Description | Newton Researcher Links Workshop Grants (Infectious Disease 'Omics (Philippines) ) |
| Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | Ref. 2017-RLWK9-110970 |
| Organisation | Newton Fund |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2018 |
| End | 12/2018 |
| Description | Newton Researcher Links Workshop Grants (Infectious Disease 'Omics (Philippines) ) |
| Amount | £60,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 2017-RLWK8-10671 |
| Organisation | Newton Fund |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2018 |
| End | 12/2018 |
| Title | Zika antibody approach |
| Description | As part of our work, we developed an antibody-based approach to detect Zika, which does not cross-react with Dengue. |
| Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
| Year Produced | 2017 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | It will have impact, as some commercial kits have difficulty with dengue cross-reaction, and our approach is cheaper. A manuscript is being drafted, and we have already shared the method with others working on Zika at the LSHTM and elsewhere. |
| Description | Collaboration with Pasteur Institute, Senegal |
| Organisation | Pasteur Institute Dakar |
| Country | Senegal |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | Sequencing of Zika samples. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Contributing Zika samples from Senegal. |
| Impact | Transfer of samples. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Description | Malaria outbreak in Cape Verde |
| Organisation | New University of Lisbon |
| Department | Portuguese Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine |
| Country | Portugal |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Genotyping of the mosquito and parasite samples from the 2017 malaria outbreak. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Contributed samples and epidemiological data, and local knowledge in Cape Verde. |
| Impact | A submitted manuscript, and training to Cape Verde scientists in genomic analysis. |
| Start Year | 2018 |
| Description | Sequencing - GIS |
| Organisation | Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) |
| Department | Genome Institute of Singapore |
| Country | Singapore |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Samples for pacino sequencing |
| Collaborator Contribution | Sequencing data. |
| Impact | Sequence data, and scientific publications. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Zika virus diversity from mosquito and human samples - Lara Gomez |
| Organisation | Jean Piaget University of Cape Verde |
| Country | Cape Verde |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have provided financial and technical resources to the collection of samples from Cape Verde. We will be providing whole genome sequencing training to a Cape Verde Phd student. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Providing samples and meta data. |
| Impact | To date, 1000 Aedes mosquitos and 800 sera and urine samples from volunteers. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Cape Verde stakeholder meetings |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | An open meeting to discuss the objectives of the study (included Ministry of Health, WHO and Public Health representation). Also, there was a community walk-about with tee shirt and pamphlet promotion, as well as a radio interview to describe the study. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Workshop on genomic data analysis in London |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | This was a 3 day infectious disease 'omics workshop in September 2019, which was attended by collaborators and students. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |