Posted on by Marc Jouan

R-Zero

Acronym : R-Zero Risk factors for Zika virus Emergence and Recurrent Outbreaks within the Pacific area.
Principal investigator VM. Cao-Lormeau (ILM)
IPNC main investigator M. Dupont-Rouzeyrol
IPNC collaborators D. Girault, A. Tarantola
Other collaborators Ministère de la santé de Fidji, Samoa et Yap, Institut Pasteur, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Queensland University of Technology
Project total budget 32 000€
(phase 1)		 Budget devoted to l’IPNC  3 000 €
Financial supports Pacific Funds (phase 1/3)
Timeline Start date: Jul 2017 End date: July 2018
Context
In 2014, Zika (ZIKV) emerged in the Pacific region and spread in the world. In early 2016, WHO declared the ZIKV outbreak an international public health emergency in connection with the severe neurological consequences observed following ZIKV infection. Since then, the number of countries reporting a Zika epidemic has steadily increased, illustrating that ZIKV’s geographic expansion is still ongoing, even in the region. In addition, the reappearance of ZIKV in the Federated States of Micronesia, Kosrea, 8 years after the Yap epidemic, illustrates the risk of outbreak’s recurrence in previously exposed areas.
Objectives
The overall objective of this project is to identify the risk factors for the emergence and recurrence of Zika epidemics in the Pacific, with a particular focus on anti-Zika community immunity.
Methods
Characterization of the memory immune response against ZIKV – persistence and possible interference with dengue

Community mmunity against ZIKV – Status and Evolution in 4 Pacific sites

Epidemic dynamics of Zika – risk factors for epidemic emergence and recurrence
Perspectives
This project is expected to gather crucial information on the persistence of protective immunity against Zika virus in infected patients. It should also be used to assess the level of exposure and immunity of Pacific populations to the Zika virus.
Valorisation 
Communication : M. Dupont-Rouzeyrol, R-Zero Workshop, Tahiti, 2017 (Oral)