Identifying malaria parasite reservoirs in Odisha to help eliminate infections
Official title: PROJECT 1: Identifying Reservoirs of Plasmodium Infections in Odisha, India
Funded at London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine · NIH-11520927 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large study in Odisha, India will follow thousands of people over several years to understand why malaria infections persist even with current control efforts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (London, United Kingdom) |
| Project start | August 20, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $130,184 |
| NIH project number | 3U19AI181587-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11520927 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are residents of the three Odisha districts who are willing to participate in long-term follow-up and provide blood samples.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals who are not in the study area or who do not participate long-term may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project will enroll about 3,000 people across 15 villages in three districts with different malaria levels and track them every six months for four years, collecting blood samples and health data to detect Plasmodium infections. Researchers will use microscopy, rapid tests, and PCR to measure infections and monitor how people’s health changes over time. They will combine this cohort data with hospital-based surveillance of febrile patients to see how false-negative tests affect treatment and outcomes. The aim is to use what’s learned to design new tools that help Odisha move closer to malaria elimination.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to better tools and strategies to prevent malaria infections and reduce disease in the community.
How similar studies have gone: Previous malaria cohort studies have shown that long-term surveillance can reveal hidden reservoirs and improve elimination strategies, though this study includes novel multi-district design and integrated hospital data.
Where this research is happening
-
London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine
London, United Kingdom Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wassmer, Sam — London Sch/hygiene & Tropical Medicine
- Study coordinator: Wassmer, Sam
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.