Emerging infectious diseases are a major threat to global health and economies, as clearly demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic. New viruses with the potential to cause widespread outbreaks, sometimes referred to as “Disease X,” are likely to emerge in the future. Preparing for these future pandemics is a critical priority for global organizations like the UN, WHO, and G20, as well as for national governments.
Vulnerable health systems, dense populations with close human-animals interactions, rapid urbanization and economic development, and stark health inequalities render Southeast Asia a hotspot for outbreaks of new and existing infectious pathogens, in particular zoonotic viruses. Yet, the region represents a weakness in pandemic preparedness and response.
Detecting when a virus “spills over” from animals to humans early on is essential. This early detection allows for a coordinated global response, including the rapid creation and distribution of effective tools like diagnostic tests, treatments, and vaccines. These measures can prevent future pandemics or lessen their impact on public health and society.
Current surveillance methods often rely on identifying clinical cases in healthcare settings, sometimes supplemented by genomic sequencing. However, these methods often miss early cases or those with mild or no symptoms. While analyzing antibodies and T-cells (immune cells) could be helpful, current methods are often too slow and technically challenging to be used for widespread surveillance of zoonotic viruses.
This project aims to overcome these challenges by:
This project will:
Ultimately, these efforts will lay the groundwork for locally-led responses to future emerging infectious diseases, making Southeast Asia and the world better prepared for future pandemics.
