Training and Research on Arboviruses and Zoonoses In Nigeria and Sierra Leone (TRAIN) - ABSTRACT Emerging viral diseases comprise several of the greatest global risks to human health, and West Africa is a source and epicenter for several. These include arthropod-borne viruses (arboviruses), such as chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever with African origin and both ancient and recent histories of spread to Asia and the Americas to initiate massive epidemics. Dengue also increasingly recognized in Africa as a major public health problem. Zoonotic African hemorrhagic viruses also caused unprecedented outbreaks during the past decade. In 2014, the first West African epidemic of hemorrhagic fever attributed to Ebola virus spread to several countries including Sierra Leone, representing by far the most devastating filoviral outbreak on record with over 11,000 fatalities. Lassa virus, causing an estimated 100,000-300,000 hemorrhagic fever cases in Africa annually, produced an unprecedented 2018-2019 epidemic in Nigeria. The mechanisms whereby these zoonotic viruses emerge remain obscure along with understanding of their true disease burden and varied clinical disease and sequelae outcomes. To address these challenges, we will develop a new generation of West African scientists to predict, prevent and contain emerging viral diseases through multidisciplinary scientific and public health training. Leveraging our West African Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases (WAC-EID, NIAID U01AI151801), outstanding research leaders in West Africa, and the exceptional breadth of expertise in emerging viral diseases at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), we will provide multidisciplinary training for young scientists from two leading universities: Njala University in Sierra Leone and Jos University in Nigeria. The aims of Training and Research on Arboviruses and Zoonoses In Nigeria and Sierra Leone (TRAIN) include: 1. Provide general on-site training at Njala and Jos Universities to Master’s/PhD students enrolled in the local graduate programs; 2. Provide specialized training at UTMB on the most advanced methods and techniques for expertise transfer to Sierra Leone and Nigeria; 3. Provide on-site research training at Njala and Jos Universities to ensure successful local implementation of the program, which will include education of laboratory technicians/managers among others; 4. Integrate trainees into the WAC-EID’s research programs to gain hands-on experience in surveillance activities, diagnostics and data management. Five trainees per year will participate in short-, medium-, and long- term training phases at UTMB and in W. Africa. Training activities will include didactic courses, online modules, field training, molecular/virological techniques including the study of animal models and pathogenesis, biosafety training, and lab management education. Upon the completion of our training program, these young scientists will play critical roles in surveillance to better understand the circulation of emerging viruses in the region, mechanisms of emergence, virus discovery, epidemic transmission, pathogenesis, and countermeasures to mitigate emerging viral threats. The local training programs are designed to be sustainable, and the 3-way research and training partnerships will broadly benefit science and public health throughout the region.
