Importance of outbreak response research in bridging knowledge gaps on emerging infectious diseases

An important outcome of the devastating 2014 West African Ebola virus disease outbreak and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has been the growing promotion of conducting research during outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) as a valuable and acceptable process of acquiring knowledge to enhance o...

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Main Authors: Tulio de Oliveira, Robert F Breiman, David Wang, Judith N Wasserheit, Peter MacGarr Rabinowitz, Souleymane Mboup, Richard Reithinger, Luke Nyakarahuka, Wesley C Van Voorhis, Eric Osoro, Silvia Situma, Isaac Ngere, Barnabas Bakamutumaho, M Kariuki Njenga, Michael Diamond, Jennifer J Hemingway-Foday, Adrianus C M Boon, J S Schieffelin, Gregory D Sempowski, M Anthony Moody, Nikos Vasilakis, Kathryn A Hanley, Carolyne Nasimiyu, Henry Kyobe Bosa, Sara E Woodson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2025-06-01
Series:BMJ Global Health
Online Access:https://gh.bmj.com/content/10/6/e018297.full
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Summary:An important outcome of the devastating 2014 West African Ebola virus disease outbreak and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has been the growing promotion of conducting research during outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) as a valuable and acceptable process of acquiring knowledge to enhance our ability to better prevent and control these diseases in the future. Recognising the unique opportunity during outbreaks to leverage increases in cases over a short time interval and in a circumscribed area, we articulate a systematic process of conducting EID outbreak response research, highlighting knowledge gaps that should be prioritised, and measures that can be applied to mitigate numerous barriers commonly experienced during such times. We also highlight ethical considerations that must be addressed to minimise practices that continue to erode global confidence in sharing specimens and data.
ISSN:2059-7908