This project will build upon previous efforts implemented by CTR in six provinces that revealed serious gaps in the technical infrastructure, the laboratory workforce capacity, and the necessary diagnostics testing, and the current knowledge of CCHF (Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever) virus and transmission dynamics within the technical community in Afghanistan. The lack of information, skills and resources has resulted in an increased incidence of this zoonotic disease, and an urgent need for improved detection and control. This effort will provide technical reinforcement to ongoing field activities by building laboratory capacity of the CVDRL, the three regional laboratories active in Afghanistan, and increases communication and coordination among stakeholders, including the Central Epidemiology Department of the General Directorate of Animal Health and Production, CVDRL, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, the Ministry of Public Health, and Kabul University Faculty of Veterinary Science. This will include attendance at Zoonotic Committee meetings held in country.
This project will work towards the adoption of a nationwide approach to identify gaps in detection and control strategies of Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF, a dangerous agent on the U.S. Select Agent List that has a nearly 50 percent case fatality rate) in four Afghanistan provinces where terrorist groups are active. The work will focus on efforts initiated during a pilot phase targeting six provinces to help mitigate biological threats in the most critical regions of Afghanistan where endemic CCHF and terrorist groups coexist, namely Herat, Nangarhar, Balk, and Kandahar. Specific activities will include work to identify vectors collected from the field, map high-risk locations for presence of the virus, provide diagnostic and testing capacities at the Central Veterinary Diagnostic Research Laboratory (CVDRL) for CCHF with education and vector identification at the Regional Laboratories in the mentioned regions, and statistically correlate the variables that increase the threat burden from CCHF in a geographical area. Enhanced early detection of CCHF allows for rapid and targeted interventions to halt the spread of the virus and minimize the reservoir of weaponizable pathogens that could be exploited by terrorists or other nefarious actors for use in a bioterrorism attack.
Testing and analysis of samples for CCHF virus or antibodies against CCHF from Herat, Nangarhar, Balkh, and Kandahar.
Coordinate with all stakeholders, particularly in Nangarhar with other potential CTR partners in support of the CVDRL and Kabul University.
Provide necessary field equipment to reduce the threat of vector transmission of CCHF.
Train and support community health workers, local female extension workers, veterinary field unit staff, and butchers to prevent, identify, and control CCHF.
Increase awareness in sentinel, rural communities about the prevention and control of CCHF.
Provide ELISA test kits, PCR reagents, and protective equipment to CVDRL to test samples and identify vectors as needed and as allowed by USG (United States Government) guidelines for providing such equipment to international partners.
Conduct one training for research officers at CVDRL and four regional laboratories on molecular diagnostic techniques to test biological samples in accordance with appropriate biosafety and biosecurity measures. DCA will conduct the training in a location approved by CTR and will adopt appropriate security precautions as warranted if DCA travels to Afghanistan.
Share data and results with relevant ministries, the zoonotic control committee, and other stakeholders to leverage the newly developed National Response Plan for the Prevention and Control of CCHF and make progress in the implementation of the plan.
Two external consultants are included. One for training CVDRL staff, and the other for the GIS training and mapping.
Leverage geographic information system (GIS) technology to map high-risk areas of threat, clinical CCHF cases, prevalence of the virus, and biosecurity and biosafety vulnerabilities.