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

Robert F. Breiman; Eric Osoro; Richard Reithinger; David Wang; Michael Diamond; Wesley C. Van Voorhis; Judith N. Wasserheit; Peter Mac Garr Rabinowitz; Souleymane Mboup; Jennifer J. Hemingway-Foday; Tulio De Oliveira; Adrianus C.M. Boon; J. S. Schieffelin; Gregory D. Sempowski; M. Anthony Moody; Nikos Vasilakis; Kathryn A. Hanley; Carolyne Nasimiyu; Silvia Situma; Isaac Ngere; Henry Kyobe Bosa; Luke Nyakarahuka; Barnabas Bakamutumaho; Sara E. Woodson; M. Kariuki Njenga

doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2024-018297

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

Robert F. Breiman, Eric Osoro, Richard Reithinger, David Wang, Michael Diamond, Wesley C. Van Voorhis, Judith N. Wasserheit, Peter Mac Garr Rabinowitz, Souleymane Mboup, Jennifer J. Hemingway-Foday, Tulio De Oliveira, Adrianus C.M. Boon, J. S. Schieffelin, Gregory D. Sempowski, M. Anthony Moody, Nikos Vasilakis, Kathryn A. Hanley, Carolyne Nasimiyu, Silvia Situma, Isaac NgereHenry Kyobe Bosa, Luke Nyakarahuka, Barnabas Bakamutumaho, Sara E. Woodson, M. Kariuki Njenga

Pathology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

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.

Original language	English (US)
Article number	e018297
Journal	BMJ Global Health
Volume	10
Issue number	6
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2024-018297
State	Published - Jun 4 2025

Keywords

Epidemiology
Global Health
Infections, diseases, disorders, injuries
Public Health

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Health Policy
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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10.1136/bmjgh-2024-018297

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Breiman, R. F., Osoro, E., Reithinger, R., Wang, D., Diamond, M., Van Voorhis, W. C., Wasserheit, J. N., Rabinowitz, P. M. G., Mboup, S., Hemingway-Foday, J. J., De Oliveira, T., Boon, A. C. M., Schieffelin, J. S., Sempowski, G. D., Moody, M. A., Vasilakis, N., Hanley, K. A., Nasimiyu, C., Situma, S., ... Njenga, M. K. (2025). Importance of outbreak response research in bridging knowledge gaps on emerging infectious diseases. BMJ Global Health, 10(6), Article e018297. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2024-018297

Breiman, RF, Osoro, E, Reithinger, R, Wang, D, Diamond, M, Van Voorhis, WC, Wasserheit, JN, Rabinowitz, PMG, Mboup, S, Hemingway-Foday, JJ, De Oliveira, T, Boon, ACM, Schieffelin, JS, Sempowski, GD, Moody, MA, Vasilakis, N, Hanley, KA, Nasimiyu, C, Situma, S, Ngere, I, Kyobe Bosa, H, Nyakarahuka, L, Bakamutumaho, B, Woodson, SE & Njenga, MK 2025, 'Importance of outbreak response research in bridging knowledge gaps on emerging infectious diseases', BMJ Global Health, vol. 10, no. 6, e018297. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2024-018297

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AU - Hanley, Kathryn A.

AU - Nasimiyu, Carolyne

AU - Situma, Silvia

AU - Ngere, Isaac

AU - Kyobe Bosa, Henry

AU - Nyakarahuka, Luke

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

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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