UK Prospective Observational Study of Imported Arboviral Infections
The study is funded by the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Health Protection Research Unit- Emerging Zoonotic Infections (HPRU-EZI).
What are ‘Arbovirus infections’?
Arbovirus infections are illnesses caused by viruses which are spread by arthopod insects such as mosquitoes, midges or ticks to vertebrate hosts (humans, horses, cattle).
Arboviruses in humans are many and include Japanese encephalitis (JE), dengue virus (DENV), chikungunya virus (CHIKV), west nile virus (WNV), yellow fever virus (YFV) and Zika virus (ZIKV).
Arbovirus infections can cause a range of human illnesses. Sometimes people may not be aware they have been infected but more commonly people can experience headaches, muscle aches, high temperatures and a rash. Some people can experience very severe illnesses such as excessive bleeding (haemorrhage) throughout the body or inflammation in the brain (encephalitis). Sadly, in some cases, this can cause them to die.
Where are Arboviruses found?
Arboviruses are found worldwide, mostly in tropical regions and are a huge problem. Arboviruses are rare in the UK although there some examples that affect animals and very rarely people. More commonly, they cause illnesses in returning travellers to the UK.
Read about patient criteria and what is involved in the study below!
What is this study aiming to do?
The study is open, and will last for 3 years in the first instance
It aims to review how patients with an arbovirus are affected and treated plus providing important samples for scientists to be able to develop new tests to diagnose infections and potentially develop vaccines against Arboviruses in the future.
Who can take part?
The research team will be recruiting the following people to the study:
Admitted to hospital to a specialist Infectious Diseases Unit in the UK
Confirmed positive test for an Arbovirus or clinical symptoms suggestive of an Arbovirus
Experiencing any neurological sequalae following an arbovirus infection (including encephalitis)
Aged 18 years and over
What is involved in the study?
The participants will be asked to:
Provide a throat swab, blood sample and questionnaire at recruitment and 1, 6 months post illness onset
Give permission to obtain their clinical information regarding their illness.