Global Health

Diarrhoeal disease is a serious health problem in many low- and middle-income countries, resulting in over a million deaths a year. It causes long-term health impacts in the most vulnerable. GastroPak uses social science, epidemiology, soil science and microbiology to track sources of disease in Pakistan. We developed interventions to reduce infections and are providing training and resources for local scientists, so they can continue this work after our project finishes. Binational workshops in Pakistan and the UK have supported improvements in scientific techniques and data analysis. Supplying safety equipment for laboratories in Pakistan improved the working environment and throughput capabilities. This has led to an expansion of the project to local farms and clinics, helping further increase our understanding of the spread of this deadly disease. Sampling of five key rivers near Islamabad showed differences in bacterial communities between the dry and monsoon seasons. Concurrently, household surveys found faecal contamination of drinking water, leading to a boil-water advisory. Additionally, the presence of Campylobacter and Shigella spp., known causes of diarrhoeal disease, were detected in the faeces of some residents. These results demonstrate our ability to identify diseases sources and influence local practices to deliver long-term improvements in public health.

Many infectious diseases are transmitted by arthropods, causing over 700,000 deaths annually, and climate change is modifying their distribution. Leishmaniasis is one of them; it is transmitted by sandflies and affects humans and animals in the Mediterranean and tropical regions. In the European project CLIMOS, we are enhancing traps to increase sandfly catches to improve surveillance efforts and maybe even reduce sandfly populations and bite rates.

Marek’s disease is a deadly disease that threatens chickens. It is caused by a herpes virus called Marek's disease virus (MDV). In industrial farming, chickens are vaccinated however, vaccination does not stop the virus from spreading. Because of our reliance on eggs and poultry as a primary protein source, MDV is a major threat to food security. Understanding how the virus infiltrates cells and exploits the cellular machinery to multiply and spread is crucial in combating this disease. Join the ride to witness the virus’ deadly cellular commute whilst driving its lethal conveyance…