Improving disease outbreak detection in the Congo Basin
Official title: Advancing One Health Data Capture at the Point of Zoonotic Spillover in the Congo Basin Forest Perimeter
Funded at University of California at Davis · NIH-10912016 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new mobile health system to help doctors and wildlife experts in the Congo Basin keep an eye on diseases that can spread from animals to people, like Ebola and Chikungunya, so they can catch outbreaks early and help prevent them in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project start | August 17, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $181,022 |
| NIH project number | 5R21TW012608-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10912016 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals living in or near the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest region who may be at risk of zoonotic diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients living outside the Congo Basin or those not exposed to zoonotic diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the surveillance of zoonotic diseases, such as Ebola and Chikungunya, in the Congo Basin region, particularly around the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. By employing a One Health approach, the project aims to create a mobile health system that enables healthcare providers to monitor disease outbreaks in both humans and wildlife. This integrated system will facilitate better data collection and analysis, ultimately improving the detection of potential zoonotic spillover events. The research seeks to address the ecological factors contributing to the emergence of these diseases, thereby aiding in future outbreak prevention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective monitoring and prevention of zoonotic disease outbreaks, ultimately protecting public health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in utilizing integrated health systems for disease surveillance, indicating that this approach has potential for effective outcomes.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California at Davis
Davis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Evans, Tierra Smiley — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Evans, Tierra Smiley
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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.