This project aims to generate a body of data that will assist in formulating appropriate policies for the reduction of morbidity and mortality associated with influenza and other respiratory pathogens. Specifically we aim to describe the burden, clinical spectrum, pathogenesis, transmission and outcomes of influenza and other respiratory pathogens in different age and risk groups in South Africa. We will assess the effectiveness and/or efficacy and safety of influenza vaccines in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza in different risk groups of importance in low- and middle-income settings (for example pregnant women) as well as exploring alternate vaccination strategies such as targeting community transmitters. In order to achieve these objectives, we will use a combination of approaches including enhanced surveillance for pneumonia and influenza-like illness, community transmission studies, case-control studies, cohort studies, healthcare utilization surveys, vaccination demonstration projects and modelling. We will establish partnerships with relevant stakeholders locally and regionally to support research and surveillance activities, development of influenza vaccine production capacity and the translation of data into policy. Additional activities include conducting intensive community transmission studies to understand the community burden and transmission of influenza and interaction of influenza with other respiratory pathogens. We will use costing data obtained from surveillance combined with modelling approaches to evaluate cost-effectiveness of different influenza vaccination approaches. We will strengthen capacity to identify and respond to novel influenza viruses at the animal-human interface and work to build laboratory and epidemiology capacity for influenza surveillance in the country and the region.

Public Health Relevance

Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide, of which influenza is an important cause that can be prevented with vaccination. However, limited knowledge of influenza and other respiratory pathogens are available, especially in developing countries and in Africa. This project addresses several issues of public health importance, specifically to generate data needed to guide policy formulation for the reduction of influenza-associated morbidity and mortality among at risk populations (e.g., pregnant women, infants), improve laboratory capacity and networks to detect outbreaks and emerging strains of influenza timeously, and to improve knowledge and partnerships to facilitate influenza vaccine availability and provide data on best strategies for vaccine implementation.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Immunication and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD)
Type
Research Project--Cooperative Agreements (U01)
Project #
1U01IP001048-01
Application #
9206206
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZIP1-GCA (29))
Project Start
2016-09-01
Project End
2021-08-31
Budget Start
2016-09-01
Budget End
2017-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
$3,908,000
Indirect Cost
Name
National Health Laboratory Service
Department
Type
DUNS #
652813872
City
Johannesburg
State
Country
South Africa
Zip Code
2192
Cohen, Cheryl; Walaza, Sibongile; Treurnicht, Florette K et al. (2018) In- and Out-of-hospital Mortality Associated with Seasonal and Pandemic Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus in South Africa, 2009-2013. Clin Infect Dis 66:95-103
Ndlangisa, Kedibone; du Plessis, Mignon; Allam, Mushal et al. (2018) Invasive Disease Caused Simultaneously by Dual Serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae. J Clin Microbiol 56:
Page, N A; Seheri, L M; Groome, M J et al. (2018) Temporal association of rotavirus vaccination and genotype circulation in South Africa: Observations from 2002 to 2014. Vaccine 36:7231-7237
Gul, Desmond; Cohen, Cheryl; Tempia, Stefano et al. (2018) Influenza-associated mortality in South Africa, 2009-2013: The importance of choices related to influenza infection proxies. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 12:54-64
Tempia, Stefano; Walaza, Sibongile; Moyes, Jocelyn et al. (2018) The effects of the attributable fraction and the duration of symptoms on burden estimates of influenza-associated respiratory illnesses in a high HIV prevalence setting, South Africa, 2013-2015. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 12:360-373
Carrim, Maimuna; Wolter, Nicole; Benitez, Alvaro J et al. (2018) Epidemiology and Molecular Identification and Characterization of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, South Africa, 2012-2015. Emerg Infect Dis 24:506-513
Iuliano, A Danielle; Roguski, Katherine M; Chang, Howard H et al. (2018) Estimates of global seasonal influenza-associated respiratory mortality: a modelling study. Lancet 391:1285-1300
Lee, Vernon J; Ho, Zheng Jie Marc; Goh, Ee Hui et al. (2018) Advances in measuring influenza burden of disease. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 12:3-9
de Boer, Pieter T; Kelso, Joel K; Halder, Nilimesh et al. (2018) The cost-effectiveness of trivalent and quadrivalent influenza vaccination in communities in South Africa, Vietnam and Australia. Vaccine 36:997-1007
Shi, Ting; McAllister, David A; O'Brien, Katherine L et al. (2017) Global, regional, and national disease burden estimates of acute lower respiratory infections due to respiratory syncytial virus in young children in 2015: a systematic review and modelling study. Lancet 390:946-958

Showing the most recent 10 out of 17 publications