About the ZIBRA project
In the group of emerging and re-emergent infectious diseases, arboviruses such as Dengue (DENV), Yellow Fever (YFV), Chikungunya (CHIKV) and Zika (ZIKV) are considered major public health challenges. In addition to the scenario caused by DENV, which has been endemic throughout most of the country and has been responsible for epidemics for decades, the introduction of CHIKV and ZIKV in Brazil raises concerns about the challenges to public health.
Diseases caused by arboviruses are associated with major epidemics and a consequent increase in financial costs related to diagnosis and treatment for the public health system. Recent emergencies of CHIKV and ZIKV also illustrate the need to prepare for the rapid identification of emerging new viruses so that countermeasures can be readily organized. One way of performing the detection and identification of potential emerging pathogens is the application of the metagenomic approach in monitoring syndromic individuals with the undetermined aetiology in large urban centres that would function as sentinel regions.
The present study aims to understand the dynamics of the spatial-temporal spread of the Zika, Chikungunya, Dengue and Yellow Fever viruses (ZIKV, CHIKV, DENV, YFV) circulating and co-circulating in Brazil; define the possible determinants involved in their dispersion and/or clinical outcomes, and identify potential emerging viruses by metagenomics.
The genomic data generated in this project will allow the Ministry of Health and the Epidemiological Surveillance offices to broaden the understanding of the geographic and temporal dissemination of the arboviruses in the country. In this way, it will be possible to adopt adequate measures to control epidemics, monitor the dynamics and the dissemination of new viral strains, and implement more efficient vector control programs.
With the collaboration already established with the Brazilian Ministry of Health, the Pan American Organization and research centres from UK, clinical samples will be collected in the endemic areas of Brazil and will be analysed allowing the establishment of a network for real-time genomic surveillance. In this way, it will be possible to monitor the evolution of viral genomes to better understand the origin of outbreaks and epidemics and to help in the adoption of updated diagnostic methods. Genomic surveillance of circulating pathogens are also fundamental for the prediction of future outbreaks and epidemics still in the early stages and, thus, may also assist in the control of emerging infectious diseases.