INFECT: Increased knowledge on flavivirus epidemiology, serological cross-reactions, and global transmission

Flaviviruses, transmitted by mosquitoes or ticks, are emerging or re-emerging globally. Most flaviviruses are zoonotic with reservoirs in animals.

Many flaviviruses, including dengue, Japanese encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis and Zika viruses cause severe disease in humans, but we do not yet fully understand the epidemiology and serological cross-reactions.

Through an innovative approach looking at multiple viruses, this One Health project will generate new data on the epidemiology, transmission and antibody responses of flaviviruses in Sweden, Bangladesh, and Kenya, countries that have different profiles of circulating flaviviruses.

We will investigate the immune responses in people vaccinated or exposed to multiple flaviviruses and use novel techniques to study antibody cross-reactions, cytokine patterns, and predict severe disease.

Through sequencing of the viruses detected in clinical cases and in vectors, we will use molecular epidemiology to understand trends in virus spread and pathogenesis.

Patients will be interviewed to further identify gender differences in exposure, disease and vaccination, and we will collect mosquitoes in risk locations. In addition, we will study dogs as sentinels to help predict risks for humans. This project will aid clinical diagnostics and treatments; map exposure and predict future trends in disease emergence.

This will guide vaccine programs and aid clinical management, as well as improve early warning systems for disease emergence.