The introduction of novel viruses such as influenza and Henipa viruses into the human population from animal reservoirs is often fatal as the virus is not attenuated by adaptation to the host. As we are immunologically naïve, efficient immunity cannot be mounted. T cells mediate the control and clearance of viruses, and can remember past infection or vaccination. Understanding the role of T responses to zoonotic viral infections is needed for development of novel preventative vaccines.
Optimizing The Allocation Of Resources In Response To HIV/AIDS Epidemics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$724,439.00
Summary
HIV/AIDS is still a major problem around the world, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This project will support efforts to maximize health impact with limited resources, providing Ministries of Finance and Ministries of Health in developing countries along with global health agencies and funders a key tool and evidence on how to identify the optimal allocation of resources across multiple programs targeting numerous population groups.
Enhancing The Cascade Of HIV Care To Maximise The Prevention Benefits Of Antiretroviral Therapy For Populations Living With HIV
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$344,644.00
Summary
Antiretroviral drugs are effective at preventing death and illness for populations with HIV and preventing HIV transmission. I will undertake a series of studies to measure the impact of current antiretroviral treatment to prevent both illness and new infections in Australia. I will also undertake a series of studies to increase HIV testing, diagnose HIV earlier, and improve people’s linkage and retention HIV in care and evaluate the impact of these interventions on HIV transmission.
Towards HIV And Hepatitis C Elimination: Real-world Trials And Innovations In Disease Surveillance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$640,210.00
Summary
Over the next five years I will undertake a program of research centred on developing and implementing strategies to help eliminate hepatitis C and HIV as major public health problems. In particular, I will use innovative monitoring systems and field trials to explore ways to diagnose and treat HIV and hepatitis C in vulnerable populations in a more timely way and study the influence this has on reducing the onward transmission of these infections to others.
Evaluations For Efficient And Effective Public Health Responses To HIV Epidemics
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$699,190.00
Summary
I will lead studies on evaluating population impact and calculating cost-effectiveness of public health prevention programs for HIV/AIDS epidemics in Asia and Eastern Europe. Return on Investment analyses will inform Ministries of Finance about overall budget allocations. Effectiveness and efficiency evaluations and determining optimal allocations of funding mixes will directly inform Ministries of Health in planning program implementation in 15-20 countries in the region.
Japanese Encephalitis Virus In Northern Australia And Papua New Guinea:its Ecology And Risk To Australia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$292,045.00
Summary
Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus is a mosquito-transmitted virus of Asia. Infection causes clinical disease in about 1 in 50 people infected, and of these, about 25% will die from a fatal encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and a further 50% will have lifelong severe disabilities. There are over 50,000 cases annually in Asia, with about 12,000 fatalities. However, many more cases may go unrecognised. The virus normally circulates between mosquitoes and water birds and between mosquitoes an ....Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus is a mosquito-transmitted virus of Asia. Infection causes clinical disease in about 1 in 50 people infected, and of these, about 25% will die from a fatal encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and a further 50% will have lifelong severe disabilities. There are over 50,000 cases annually in Asia, with about 12,000 fatalities. However, many more cases may go unrecognised. The virus normally circulates between mosquitoes and water birds and between mosquitoes and pigs. The World Health Organization has recognised JE as one of the most important mosquito-borne viruses because of its propensity to spread and to colonise new areas. The virus first appeared in the Torres Strait of northern Australia in 1995, causing three clinical cases of whom 2 died. This was unexpected as the nearest known focus of virus activity was in Bali, over 3000km away. The virus returned again in 1998, with a further case in the Torres Strait and the first case to occur on mainland Australia in Cape York. Both of these patients recovered. We have shown that the virus is established in Papua New Guinea (PNG), where it is spreading rapidly, and our results suggest that PNG was the source of the virus causing the outbreaks in 1995 and 1998. This project is aimed at finding out more about JE virus in PNG, particularly as it relates to spread into northern Australia. The project also seeks to investigate the potential mosquito and animal hosts in Australia that might be involved if the virus becomes established in our wildlife in Cape York. Australia is already known to have suitable mosquito vector species and suitable animal hosts in water birds and feral pigs, but the ecology is not yet understood. Thus the overall aim is to provide information on which a sound risk assessment can be based.Read moreRead less
Preventing Infectious Disease In Vulnerable Populations: Smarter Surveillance, Enhanced Epidemiology And Targeted Trials
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$631,010.00
Summary
Vulnerable populations, including people who inject drugs and female sex workers, are susceptible to infectious diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C. Preventing the transmission of these infections presents major challenges. The proposed research will 1) develop innovative approaches to identifying and understanding infectious disease in vulnerable populations; 2) improve our responses by designing and testing new approaches to prevention; and 3) reduce associated morbidity and mortality.
Identification Of Risk Factors Associated With Exposure To Australian Bat Lyssavirus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$230,344.00
Summary
Australia is one of the few countries in the world known to be free of rabies. A dramatic impact on this status occurred in 1996. A flying fox in northern NSW was found to be infected with a rabies-like virus. Within 16 weeks of this discovery the first human case occurred. A further human case has now been reported. The newly discovered virus, named Australian bat lyssavirus (ABL) was found to be closely related to, but distinguishable from, rabies virus. Rabies virus is responsible for thousan ....Australia is one of the few countries in the world known to be free of rabies. A dramatic impact on this status occurred in 1996. A flying fox in northern NSW was found to be infected with a rabies-like virus. Within 16 weeks of this discovery the first human case occurred. A further human case has now been reported. The newly discovered virus, named Australian bat lyssavirus (ABL) was found to be closely related to, but distinguishable from, rabies virus. Rabies virus is responsible for thousands of human infections each year, mainly in Asia and South Asia where it is endemic in urban dogs. In contrast, other rabies-like viruses have caused only a handful of human infections. Although the number of human cases of ABL is likely to remain low, each of the two known cases has aroused a great deal of public anxiety. The natural hosts appear to be various species of bats which collectively have a distribution along the entire northern and eastern coastlines. The number of potential exposures is therefore quite large and state health departments are devoting considerable resources to dealing with public concerns. This project will establish clearly defined risk factors for exposure to ABL and will allow health authorities to better manage expensive and limited vaccine and therapy resources.Read moreRead less
Improving Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) Initiation For People Living With HIV In Australia: A Realistic And Feasible Approach?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,722.00
Summary
Antiretroviral treatment (ART) has improved the lives of people living with HIV (PLHIV). This study will investigate barriers, incentives and reasons that influence decision making of PLHIV and clinicians regarding whether to start ART and when. The study will examine the potential public health impact of promoting ART use on the HIV epidemic. The study will make significant contributions to improvement of ART use and advances in HIV prevention.
Preventing Illness And Death From Severe Influenza In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,719,110.00
Summary
Influenza and its complications are a common cause of hospitalisation and death. However, influenza is a moving target, with viruses constantly mutating from season to season. My research programme will transform the prevention and treatment of influenza and its complications by developing innovative public health and treatment strategies that can be applied globally. The work will optimise vaccine and treatment strategies to reduce illness and deaths from influenza.