Monkeypox Threat Reduction Network
Abstract
In order to prevent the entry of known and novel pathogens into the USA, a sustainable biosurveillance system is needed in DTRA Direct Engagement Countries (DECs) to detect and respond to cases of monkeypox (MPX), viral hemorrhagic fevers/Ebolavirus, coronaviruses, and other viral pathogens globally. The DTRA DECs highlighted in this proposal (excluding Nigeria) have underprepared surveillance systems, in part because they are not conducting surveillance activities for MPX and partially due to challenges with diagnostic capacity, lower caseload and less experiences. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has developed regional expertise in MPX because of the high number of cases in various parts of the country. There is the opportunity to use the DRC as a training center in sentinel sites for MPX detection for DTRA DECs. This project has 5 aims, 4 of which have research and capacity building components, while1 focuses on the development of the regional training center based on sentinel sites for MPX surveillance in the DRC. Use of sentinel training sites in the DRC for MPX case detection, outbreak response, surveillance and laboratory diagnostics could play a role in reducing the threat to the USA from deadly viral pathogens with Weapon of Mass Destruction potential. In order to prevent the entry of known and novel pathogens into the USA, a sustainable biosurveillance system is needed in DTRA Direct Engagement Countries (DECs) to detect and respond to cases of monkeypox (MPX), viral hemorrhagic fevers/Ebolavirus, coronaviruses, and other viral pathogens globally. The DTRA DECs highlighted in this proposal (excluding Nigeria) have underprepared surveillance systems, in part because they are not conducting surveillance activities for MPX and partially due to challenges with diagnostic capacity, lower caseload and less experiences. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has developed regional expertise in MPX because of the high number of cases in various parts of the country. There is the opportunity to use the DRC as a training center in sentinel sites for MPX detection for DTRA DECs. This project has 5 aims, 4 of which have research and capacity building components, while1 focuses on the development of the regional training center based on sentinel sites for MPX surveillance in the DRC. Use of sentinel training sites in the DRC for MPX case detection, outbreak response, surveillance and laboratory diagnostics could play a role in reducing the threat to the USA from deadly viral pathogens with Weapon of Mass Destruction potential.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 13, 2021
- Source ID
- HDTRA12110040
Entities
People
- Anne Walsh
Organizations
- Defense Threat Reduction Agency
- University of California