Regional research activities and state of the art of Vmerge Project: Emerging viralvector borne diseases Joint permanent committee 4th November 2014 Cirad
Key features of Vmerge Cirad - F Borne
Objectives Address risk of introduction, emergence and spread of known - or still unknown - vector-borne viruses (VBV) associated with mosquitoes (Aedes and Culex genera), and Culicoides biting midges: Improve our understanding of these emerging VBV and their potential for spread throughout northern Africa and Europe; Enhance epidemiological surveillance strategies and tools for better disease detection.
Specific objectives 1. to provide innovations in diagnostic procedures for more reliable, more cost effective, and quicker identification of emerging VBV 2. to improve our understanding of vector competence of insect populations in ecosystems at risk of emerging VBV; 3. to model vector-population dynamics and virus transmission for better assessment of emergence and spread capacities of selected VBV 4. to assess the existing surveillance networks for emerging VBV and propose new surveillance strategies
Consortium and strategy Cirad - P Dugue
16 partners, 12 countries
Management structure
From genome to continent Global strategy WP1 virus : diagnostic tools, environment (microbiota/vectors/hosts) WP2 interactions virus/vectors/hosts WP3 transmission (structure/understanding/anticipation) WP4 surveillance and management (training/capacities building)
From genome to continent Global strategy WP1 virus : diagnostic tools, environment (microbiota/vectors/hosts) WP2 interactions virus/vectors/hosts WP3 transmission (structure/understanding/anticipation) WP4 surveillance and management (training/capacities building) WP5 tools/strategies sampling/modelling
From genome to continent Global strategy WP1 virus : diagnostic tools, environment (microbiota/vectors/hosts) WP2 interactions virus/vectors/hosts WP3 transmission (structure/understanding/anticipation) WP6 interaction, spread, field implementation WP4 surveillance and management (training/capacities building) WP5 tools/strategies sampling/modelling
First deliverables Cirad - F Borne
Website (http://www.vmerge.eu/)
Compilation of Rift Valley fever projects
Workshops on entomology: identification, sampling and database IAV, 2 to 6 June 2014, Rabat (Morocco) CNERV, 9 to 12 June 2014, Nouakchott (Mauritania) Wesley Tack
First publication
Participation at the OIE/FAO workshop on Rift Valley Fever (Rabat, September 2014) Agreement REMESA members and Vmerge partners on the mutual interest for collaboration Maps on vector distribution and on transmission risk: required support of veterinary services for field implementation (entomological and serological surveys); can be used to focus surveillance and control activities. Assessment of the introduction risk of Rift Valley Fever virus into Maghreb countries, via animal movements Design on new strategies of surveillance and control adapted on different epidemiological contexts
Letter to be sent by the coordinator to the chief veterinary officers Official information on Vmerge Follow up of the conclusion of the Rabat meeting on the mutual benefit of the project (research-surveillance) Request for reinforced collaboration : vector mapping, risk mapping, field work, risk analysis, surveillance strategy Collaboration agreement between CIRAD and vet services of REMESA: signed with Mauritania and Tunisia, drafted with Morocco
On-going Vmerge scientific activities Assess microbiota diversity in Culex pipiens around the Mediterranean Sea & microbiota dynamics in mosquito populations in one ecosystem (temporary ponds in Senegal / Mauritania) Model mosquito population dynamics and RVFV transmission in temporary ponds and along the Senegal River Study and model recent RVFV outbreak in Mauritania
Study and model recent RVFV outbreak in Mauritania: PhD of Bezeid Elmamy, CNERV Molecular diagnostic of 500 field samples more than 100 RVFV-PCR+ samples (October 2014) Deep sequencing of a selection of RVFV+ samples for fine description of genetic diversity (on-going) Collection of data regarding animal mobility within and from Mauritania: on-going activity (with FAO), need for Further funding Continued collaboration of Mauritanian veterinary services Modelling the genetic structure of RVFV populations according to animal mobility (together with Oxford and Brussels University) Derive consequences for RVFV surveillance and control Generic value of results for other diseases: FMD, PPR
Thank you for your attention! Francis Schaffner