OpportunityTitle: Clinical, Epidemiologic and Ecologic Factors Impacting the Burden and Distribution of Monkeypox in Tshuapa District, Democratic Republic of the Congo
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: Eligible Applicants: Kinshasa School of Public Health (KSPH), University of Kinshasa,   Mont Amba, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Description: This project encompasses a three-year program of research activities to be accomplished beginning FY14 and continuing through FY17, with annual renewal contingent on satisfactory performance during the previous 12 months. The research opportunity entails investigating (1) the ecology and epidemiology of monkeypox (MPX) as well as (2) the treatment and prevention of monkeypox illnesses in humans. This research opportunity may also extend to other vaccine-preventable diseases that are of importance to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Human monkeypox (MPX) is a smallpox-like illness which is endemic in parts of the Congo Basin and occurs sporadically elsewhere in western sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, nearly all of the cases that are reported annually to WHO occur in the DRC. Monkeypox has epidemic potential and is recognized as a significant threat to human health in the DRC. This research opportunity will allow investigators to develop a better understanding of the ecology and epidemiology of MPX and potentially other vaccine-preventable diseases and will lead to the development of improved strategies for MPX surveillance, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. The specific goals set out for this research opportunity are as follows:1. Identification of ecologic factors that place humans at risk of infection including identification of sylvatic host(s) of MPX virus;2. Determination of the principle modes of inter-human and zoonotic transmission of MPX virus;3. Development and evaluation of novel methodologies for enhanced MPX surveillance and rapid or point-of-care diagnostic assays;4. Identification and evaluation of interventions to improve medical outcomes and reduce the introduction and spread of MPX in at-risk communities.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: TECHNICAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SECTION (TIMS)
GrantorContactText: CDC  &lt;br/&gt;Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) &lt;br/&gt;Technical Information Management Section (TIMS) &lt;br/&gt;Phone: 770-488-2700 &lt;br/&gt;
CloseDateExplanation: Application Due Date: January 13, 2014 by 5:00 PM U.S. Eastern Time.