Integrated multi-vector-borne diseases platform to assess how global change impacts transmission using innovative systems modelling, novel monitoring tools, and transmission blocking micro-organisms - IMPACTING

Impact of global changes on the dynamics and burden of vector-borne diseases

Vector-borne diseases disproportionately affect poor and vulnerable populations in Africa. Climate change and the expansion of human activities are transforming ecosystems and the risk of exposure to vectors and the pathogens they transmit. Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 94% of malaria cases and more than 99% of all cases of onchocerciasis and human African trypanosomiasis, as well as numerous cases of dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. To ensure a lasting reduction in the burden of these diseases, it is essential to identify the main factors of global changes that promote the transmission of pathogens, to improve monitoring and control, and to support decision-making informed by both epidemiological data and socio-economic constraints.

Scientific and partnership structure of the IMPACTING project

IMPACTING brings together experts from Kenya, Cameroon, Mozambique, France and Portugal and is organised around five scientific work packages with the following objectives:
•    Modelling how global changes and their cascading effects influence the risk of vector-borne disease transmission in sub-Saharan Africa;
•    Developing and improving tools for vector monitoring and pathogen diagnostics;
•    Implementing robust, standardised pipelines to identify microorganisms that can block pathogen transmission within vectors and assessing  their potential for innovative control;
•    Involving communities  in the joint development of solutions for the monitoring and control of vector-borne diseases;
•    Developing a dashboard for forecasting risks associated with vector-borne diseases to facilitate evidence-based policy-making in health.

The decision to work on several vector-borne diseases in three countries is driven by: i) the generic nature of tools, from models to the identification of vectors, microbiomes and pathogens and their tripartite interactions; ii) the identification of factors common to several diseases; iii) the importance of an integrated approach to study perceptions of these diseases, obstacles to their control, and the socio-economic burden in affected communities; and iv) the creation of a multi-disease dashboard that simultaneously provides policymakers with several levels of information.

Methodological and partnership innovations in the fight against vector-borne diseases

The expected outcomes of this project are:
•    the development of dynamic models of epidemiological systems linked to different global change scenarios and the implementation of vector control and diagnostic actions;
•    the improvement of vector trapping systems and (more effective) pathogen diagnostic tools;
•    the joint development of control strategies with more than 10 local communities and the public authorities;
•    the identification and assessment of the potential of specific microorganisms to block pathogen transmission in multiple vector species;
•    the provision of guidance for policymakers at the national and international levels.

The project will enable the development of more than 10 new vector control tools for rural and urban areas in sub-Saharan Africa, thereby increasing the probability of disease detection by 25% and improving public health infrastructure for 60 to 90% of the populations in the target countries.

More broadly, in terms of impacts, the project will contribute:
•    To the development of a network by:
o    fostering collaboration between 50 local and national public health and community organisations across the three countries, as well as innovative practices through assessments of global changes and advances in health knowledge;
o    mobilising more than 100 researchers  and other scientific actors in sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, encouraging collaborations between institutions and ministries, and including at least 15 organisations involved in health research.
•    To capacity building by:
o    training health professionals, community workers, students and researchers in the joint development of solutions for vector-borne disease control (workshops, mentorship, a digital platform for 5 000 people directly and 25 000 people indirectly);
o    providing training in innovative monitoring and control techniques and the use of the dashboard.