Study/research: Detection and Characterization of Viral and Bacterial Agents Causing Acute Febrile Illness (AFI) in Ethiopia
PI/PIS: Musse Tadesse
Lead Institution: Haramaya University, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, and Ethiopian Public Health
Implementation Year: 2020-2024
Status of the project: In Progress
Funder: Centre of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Global One Health Initiative (GOHi)
Project Summary
The main goal of the proposed hypothesis driven fundamental research is to strengthen bio-surveillance and laboratory detection capacity for broad range of pathogens of high security concern causing AFI and informing the public.
A prospective, healthcare facility-based cross-sectional study will be applied in five referral hospitals from five of the eleven regions in Ethiopia. Over the 5 years (2020/24) implementation period, an estimated 2000-3000 febrile cases (400-600 cases per year from each sentinel site) will be detected annually. Blood and nasopharyngeal swab sample from patients meeting the AFI inclusion criteria (Aged ≥5 years old and experienced acute fever (≥38.0°C) for 2-14 days) will be collected using systematic random sampling. Rapid point of care (POC) tests, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), serological and Taqman Array Cards (TAC) testing methods will be applied for detection of 15 prioritized pathogens with biosecurity concern and epidemic potential.