RFA-CK-20-002, Enabling Rapid and Accurate Identification of Emerging Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Threats in Indonesia

Alertasia Foundation, Jakarta Pusat

Investigators

Abstract

Project Abstract Zoonoses account for at least 75% of emerging human diseases globally. Indonesia has been identified as one of the major emerging pathogen “hotspots” and the opportunities for an emergence event to become epidemic in the absence of a reliable detection system across Indonesia are high. Through Detection and Characterization of Emerging Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Pathogens in Indonesia project, we will recognize and identify these events and to rapidly detect the transmission of pathogens with pandemic potential to human populations in Indonesia. In our existing CK15-001, we have established capacity at the Eijkman Institute for recognition and identification of emerging pathogens and piloted the use of these technologies to detect the transmission to human populations in Indonesia. The work in this follow up proposal will lay the foundation for a network of trained laboratory personnel, provide baseline information on the vector-borne agents likely to emerge and cause human disease in the fourth most populated country in the world, and rapidly characterize any vector-borne pathogen of human concern circulating in the country. Completion of these aims will not only provide direct public health benefits to Indonesia, but will aid in advancing the Global Health Security Agenda (GSHA) objectives of understanding the risk to US populations by assessing emergence events globally.