Strengthening global and regional health security through surveillance of emerging Poxviruses in humans, domestic and peri-domestic animals, and wildlife

Historically global poxvirus epidemics have been associated with Smallpox a surge that killed up to 1/3 of infected children during the past centuries. Recently however the emergence of Mpox virial outbreaks and epidemics has heightened awareness that the Poxvirus family is extensive with multiple outbreaks and epidemics currently ongoing. The focus on this research proposal is to undertake a "One Health" approach to understanding the relationship between Poxvirus ecology, infection of wild animals, peri-demostic animals, and domestic agricultural animals, and humans. Integrated in our approach is the necessity to understand sociological as well as scientific factors that play a role in the encroachment of human populations on wildlife leading to increased exposure and increased chances of infection with emerging Pox viruses yet not circulating in the human population. We have created an international team of clinicians, scientists, wild-life experts, entomologists, veterinarians, farmers, sociologists, students, government policy makers, and government officials in Africa, and Canada to undertake this multidisciplinary approach to understanding Pox viruses. Dr. Kelvin the NPI of this project is an expert in global emerging infectious disease has established a highly qualified team of investigators who work closely with the Ministry of Agricultural and the Ministry of Health in Rwanda to conduct ongoing surveillance of emerging infectious diseases in Rwanda and Central Africa. With investigators from Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and Burundi, and two AIMS PhD students and 5 vets. The outcome of the two-year grant from CIHR will provide a comprehensive overview (map) of the state on Mpox and Orthopox viruses (ecology) in central Arica as well as Nova Scotia aiding policy makers in allocating resources for reducing the spread of and impact of poxviruses.