West Africa Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases
Official title: West African Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases
Funded at University of Texas Med Br Galveston · NIH-11615773 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing center in West Africa studies how emerging viruses spread to people and livestock so we can better protect communities and prevent outbreaks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Med Br Galveston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Galveston, United States) |
| Project start | September 17, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $43,200 |
| NIH project number | 3U01AI151801-06S3 |
| Project ID | NIH-11615773 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants include individuals in West Africa living in or near outbreak-prone areas, patients with suspected or confirmed viral infections, and communities participating in surveillance and clinical studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not involved in surveillance activities or who are not in study regions may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This program leverages a network of research sites across four West African countries to track transmission of dangerous viruses and understand how outbreaks start and spread. It includes field studies, vector and livestock surveillance, human exposure monitoring, and clinical analyses to identify who is at risk and how disease progresses. The insights gained aim to improve early warning, prevention, and response to emerging infectious diseases that could affect people in Africa and beyond.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to earlier detection of outbreaks, better protective measures for communities, and more effective responses to new viral threats.
How similar studies have gone: Prior similar field surveillance and zoonotic spillover studies have improved understanding of transmission and informed public health actions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Texas Med Br Galveston
Galveston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cross, Robert W — University of Texas Med Br Galveston
- Study coordinator: Cross, Robert W
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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.