West African Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases
Funded at University of Texas Med Br Galveston · NIH-11615799 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A multi-country program in West Africa aims to better understand how emerging infectious diseases spread from animals to people and how to prevent outbreaks that could affect the U.S.
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) | $64,767 |
| NIH project number | 3U01AI151801-06S4 |
| Project ID | NIH-11615799 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals living in West Africa who are exposed to or affected by zoonotic viruses, healthcare workers, and communities participating in surveillance efforts.
✕Less likely to help
People not involved in surveillance or clinical studies may not directly benefit from the findings.
What this research studies
This program uses field studies in Senegal, Nigeria, Liberia, and Sierra Leone to track animal and human exposure to zoonotic viruses, monitor vectors, and study how different viral variants affect disease outcomes. It includes clinical analyses of patients with infectious diseases and active surveillance to detect spillover events early. By leveraging established research sites, the project seeks to fill knowledge gaps about transmission, exposure, and sequelae in endemic settings, with the goal of strengthening national and regional preparedness. The work places a strong emphasis on collaborations with local researchers and communities to ensure culturally appropriate and sustainable approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Greater understanding of how zoonotic viruses spread could lead to earlier warning, better prevention strategies, and more effective responses to future outbreaks.
How similar studies have gone: Past studies in similar regions have shown that integrated surveillance and field research can improve outbreak detection and response.
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
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
HPV and pregnancy risk: a big study following 1,280 pregnancies
A large pregnancy study at UTMB looks at whether human papillomavirus (HPV) during pregnancy is linked to problems like preterm birth.
-
West African Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases
A national West African collaboration is studying how dangerous viruses spread between animals and people, with the goal of improving prevention and response.
-
West Africa Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases
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.
-
West African Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases
Aiming to understand and prevent emerging viruses in West Africa to protect people in the U.S. and globally.
-
West Africa Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases
A US-funded center in West Africa aims to better understand and prevent outbreaks of deadly viruses by studying how diseases spread between animals, people, and the environment.
-
Coordinating Research on Emerging Arboviral Threats in the Neotropics II
A nationwide network will study how dengue, Zika, and other mosquito-borne viruses emerge and spread from the Neotropics to protect people in the US.
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.