Strengthening the ability to identify and diagnose cases of zoonotic infections with fever and skin lesions in Georgia (dietary supplements)


(A) Objective: 1) to strengthen technical capabilities for the detection and diagnosis of poxviruses and 2) to establish a monitoring system for zoonotic infections with fever and skin lesions in Georgia.
B) Ways to implement the project: 1. Diagnostic capabilities and epidemiological surveillance systems for OPXV infection in humans and animals will be established in Georgia.;
2. Health workers will be trained to identify skin lesions associated with zoonotic infections and to identify human cases.;
3. New test systems will be developed and tested to identify new genetic variants of orthopoxvirus in humans, rodents, domestic and wild animals in Georgia.
4. A retrospective diagnosis of clinical samples with anthrax will be performed for differential analysis;
5. Field work will be carried out to collect rodents (as a natural reservoir causing the disease) for their further study.
C) Expected results: Development of diagnostic capabilities and surveillance systems for OPXV infection in humans and animals in Georgia. In collaboration with CDC Atlanta (HDTRA1-12-17- FRCWMD-Call) plans to expand the detection and diagnosis of OPXV infections. This is achieved through capacity building and training using modern OPXV diagnostic platforms to identify and diagnose cases (technology imported from CDC Atlanta SMEs). This project will help to make better use of already implemented technologies. For example, this work involves sequencing a new generation that has already been created at the Lugar Center, but we have expanded its use by introducing new methods for phylogenetic analysis. The discovery of the new zoonotic orthopox virus in Georgia is an opportunity to spread a comprehensive, collaborative research and surveillance strategy for the new pathogen in order to understand how and why the virus appears and what threat it may pose to human health. As a result, we will be better able to deal with similar natural or intentional biological problems in the future. These measures will enhance the ability to effectively detect emerging orthopoxviruses.



Project implementation dates: 01/11/15-31/10/18


Budget: $702,343


The person responsible for the implementation of the project: Ekaterina Khmaladze