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Researchers from the Kiwi scientific alliance addressing COVID-19 with new research projects
A global pandemic like COVID-19 was a “when not if” question according to a diverse group of kiwi scientists who formed an alliance almost a decade ago in anticipation of such an eventuality.
Many of the group, called One Health Aotearoa, are playing key roles in the recently announced government-funded COVID-19 research projects, such as testing possible cures and developing DNA scanning technology to provide near-real-time data on the virus. ‘ spread.
One Health Aotearoa (OHA) was formed in 2013 around a central alliance between the University of Otago School of Medicine, Massey University Veterinary School and the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). The current collection of scientists from more than 120 members from 17 different institutions has become New Zealand’s leading infectious disease research, education and advocacy group. Many are advising the Government and have excelled in providing expert comment during the COVID crisis.
University of Otago, Christchurch infectious disease expert, Professor David Murdoch is co-director of OHA. He says that a global pandemic caused by a new virus, as happened with COVID-19, had been anticipated for some time.
“A global pandemic was always a question of when, not if. Infectious disease experts have predicted this type of outbreak for some time and know it won’t be the last. COVID-19 is another infectious disease emerging at the animal-human interface, and the third major outbreak of a new coronavirus in this century. Factors such as increased urbanization, overcrowded conditions and increased global migration have created environments that promote the transmission of infections. “
Professor Murdoch said that a One Health approach, bringing together experience and experiences from a wide range of backgrounds, is ideal for the current situation.
“Understanding the complex systems that drive the spread of such diseases is essential to inform strategies for addressing emerging and reemerging infectious diseases. This generally requires responses from multiple disciplines and an awareness of what is happening globally. Consequently, professionals and researchers from a wide range of disciplines must work together and with communities to prevent and control the impacts of infectious diseases through actions at all levels. “
OHA scientists are now playing key roles in almost all of the government’s recently announced COVID-19 investigations. The projects of the Health Research Council aim to:
- Develop a way to detect patient samples for COVID-19 on the front line, for example, clinics or physician airports, to provide faster “triaging” or identification of virus carriers. (OHA researchers Jo-Ann Stanton, James Ussher, Miguel Quiñones-Mateu)
- Test the effectiveness of existing medications lopinavir-ritonavir and hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of hospitalized patients by COVID-19. (OHA investigators Mike Maze, Sandy Slow, Stephen Ritchie, Ayesha Verrall)
- Study the experiences and practices of quarantine and isolation of New Zealand’s at-risk groups to understand our country’s strengths or vulnerabilities in this area and optimize communication with these groups. (OHA Researcher, Nigel French)
- Study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand and the identification of vulnerable populations to produce a public health guide for the Government on this and future pandemics. (OHA investigators Michael Baker, Amanda Kvalsvig, Mat Walton, Ayesha Verrall)
- Find new ways to use genomic data, as well as human location and movement data to understand the near-real-time spread of COVID-19 throughout the population. (OHA investigators Colin Simpson, Alexei Drummond, David Murdoch, Nigel French, and Michael Baker)
- Improve the effectiveness and equity in the operation of COVID-19 self-isolation. (OHA investigators Michael Baker, Amanda Kvalsvig, Siouxsie Wiles)
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