german partnership program for excellence in biological...
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German Partnership Program for Excellence in Biological and Health Security -
Prevalence and Diagnosis of Crimean-Congo-Hemorrhagic Fever, Rift Valley Fever and
Henipavirus-Infections in Mauretania, Sierra Leone, Cameroon and DR Congo
Martin H. Groschup, Martin Eiden, Marc Mertens, Anne Balkema-Buschmann
Melanie Rissmann, Miriam Andrada Sas, Claudia Mroz
Introduction
Crimean-Congo-Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (CCHFV), Rift Valley Fever Virus (RVFV) and Henipavirus (HeV / NiV) are
infectious agents that can cause severe diseases in livestock, wildlife and humans. All three highly pathogenic viruses
are assumed to be present in sub-Saharan African countries, but their true prevalence and pathogenicity have never
been verified to date.
As infections in humans and animals are often fatal and no reliable vaccines or therapeutic agents are available, these
agents can be a major public health risk in case of an intended or unintended introduction into Europe or elsewhere.
Therefore efficient networks with scientists and authorities in African countries where these highly pathogenic viruses are
supposedly endemic, the establishment of local confirmatory diagnostic capacities by the exchange of material and
knowledge is needed.
Within the framework of this project prevalence and distribution data for these viruses will be collected. On the basis of
obtained data, risk areas will be defined and public protection methods as well as pathogen ascertainment procedures
will be implemented. This will be achieved by a coordinated and supportive collaboration of the Friedrich-Loeffler-
Institute (FLI) and African partner laboratories.
RVFV
Family Bunyaviridae
Genus Phlebovirus
Causative agent of abortions in
livestock and neurological or
hemorrhagic symptoms in humans
Vector: Mosquito
HeV / NiV
Family Paramyxoviridae
Genus Henipavirus
Causative agent of respiratory and
neurological symptoms in humans and
livestock
Vector / Reservoir: Fruit-Bat
Collaborating partners Sierra Leone Mauretania Cameroon DR Congo
Contact: Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute - Federal Research Institute for Animal Health
Südufer 10
17493 Greifswald, Germany
Aims of the project
• An intensive training of African scientists at the FLI is creating
the basis for the ability to determine the presence of CCHFV, RVFV, HeV / NiV by reliable serological and molecular diagnostic techniques in participating laboratories.
Capacity building
• Results will be communicated to the wider public with the help of public health systems, participating laboratories and universities.
Awareness raising
• Studies on seroprevalence by ELISA and immunofluorescence tests and virus detection by modern molecular methods will be carried out.
Surveillance
• Networks for information and collaboration will be created.
Network
• Getting ready for the unexpected: by characterization of the relevant pathogens and development of specific diagnostic techniques which will be available for both the European and the African laboratories.
Prepardeness
• Genome sequencing and characterization of individual isolates enables the retrospective traceability of individual pathogens.
Traceability
Ring
trials
Training courses at
FLI
FLI scientists
visit African laboratories
Refresh courses
Methods and
Realization
Head-Coordinator: Prof.Dr.Martin H.Groschup
Germany Austria
FAO -
International
Atomic Energy
Agency
Njala
University,
Department of
Animal Science
Centre National
de l'Élevage et de
Recherches
Vétérinaires
National
Veterinary
Laboratory
Laboratoire
Vétérinaires de
Lubumbashi /
Université de
Lubumbashi
Friedrich-
Loeffler-
Institute
2nd Coordination Group Meeting in Nouakchott
Martin Groschup Hermann Unger Saidu Kanu Baba Doumbia Pongombo Céléstin Abdoulkadiri Souley
Annual meetings
and reports
Maloba Kasongo
CCHFV
Family Bunyaviridae
Genus Nairovirus
Causative agent of hemorrhagic
fever symptoms in humans
Vector: Hyalomma tick
FLI scientist visits Nouakchott
at FLI facilities
at FLI facilities
at FLI facilities