Researchers invited to join EU-funded pandemic preparedness cohort platform

Led by Prof. Adriana Tami, based at the Universidad de Carabobo, Venezuela & University Medical Center Groningen and Prof. Philippe Mayaud, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the platform is part of the broader CONTAGIO initiative, which aims to strengthen global research networks ahead of future epidemics and pandemics.  

The Infectious Diseases Data Observatory (IDDO) is collaborating on the project, contributing its experience in equitable data sharing and research coordination across endemic countries. 

Connecting research groups for faster outbreak response 

The pandemic preparedness cohort platform will be a publicly available online dashboard, showcasing global south-based research groups with expertise in arboviral (viruses transmitted by arthropods such as mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies) and other vector-borne disease cohort studies.  

Cohort studies follow a group of people (a cohort) over time, observing how various risk factors and exposure influence specific outcomes.  

“Cohort studies are crucial for pandemic preparedness, because of their ability to create rich, longitudinal datasets,” said Professor Tami. “But many arboviral and vector-borne disease cohort researchers already exist in disease endemic countries – these are critical assets in any outbreak response, and we want to connect them.  

“The epidemic preparedness cohort platform will map out who these research groups are and what expertise and capacities they have, helping them mobilise together before the next large epidemic.” 

The final platform will provide a central space for research groups where they can share their capabilities, including information about the cohort populations they study, their laboratory and biobanking facilities, ethical approvals, and data-sharing practices. 

Professor Tami said. ”The COVID-19 pandemic really helped demonstrate the importance of rapid collaboration during a pandemic – our hope is that this platform enables rapid connection and collaboration among scientists in the global south during future outbreaks.”