Understanding how Rift Valley fever virus spreads in northern Tanzania
Official title: Transmission dynamics and epidemiology of Rift Valley fever virus in northern Tanzania
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11062454 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how the Rift Valley fever virus spreads among animals and people in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania, aiming to understand how it survives even when there aren't many cases, so we can find better ways to prevent and control outbreaks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $160,392 |
| NIH project number | 5K08AI182480-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11062454 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include individuals living in or near the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania, particularly those involved in agriculture or livestock management.
✕Less likely to help
Patients living outside the Kilimanjaro Region or those not exposed to livestock or mosquito populations may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the transmission dynamics of the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) in both livestock and human populations in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania. By examining various socio-ecological zones and factors such as local mosquito populations, the study aims to identify how the virus persists during periods of low disease activity. The research employs enhanced surveillance and epidemiological methods to gather data on RVFV prevalence and its impact on communities. This information could help develop better prevention and control strategies for RVF outbreaks.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and controlling Rift Valley fever, ultimately protecting both animal and human health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding the epidemiology of similar arboviral diseases, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Madut, Deng Buok — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Madut, Deng Buok
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Broad antiviral drugs that target coronaviruses and other viruses
A research program aims to identify small molecules that can block multiple viruses, focusing first on coronaviruses, to help create drugs that can treat future outbreaks.
-
Finding broadly protective antibodies against Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever
Researchers will study blood from people who survived CCHF to find human antibodies that protect against multiple virus variants, with early tests in animal models to check their breadth.
-
Antivirals for hemorrhagic fever viruses like LASV, SFTSV, and EBOV
A multi-institutional effort to find and validate antiviral compounds that block key viral proteins from LASV, SFTSV, and EBOV to help people at risk from serious hemorrhagic fevers.
-
A New Model for Valley Fever: Studying Coccidioides Infection with Volatile Clues in Wax Moths
Researchers are testing a new, cheaper model using wax moths to study Valley Fever caused by Coccidioides, with the goal of understanding how the infection behaves and how it could be diagnosed or treated.
-
Halogen-modified nucleoside analogs to fight yellow fever virus
Aims to develop new oral medicines that could prevent or treat yellow fever by using specially modified building blocks that stop the virus from growing.
-
Understanding Guanarito virus and building countermeasures for Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever
This project studies how Guanarito virus causes disease and aims to develop vaccines or treatments to protect people in areas where Venezuelan hemorrhagic fever occurs.
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.