Epidemiology of Malaria Invasion in Mutare City and Targets for Elimination, Zimbabwe

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Epidemiology of Malaria Invasion in Mutare City and Targets for Elimination, Zimbabwe PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT This award will enable Dr. Sungano Mharakurwa to ascertain the epidemiological determinants of urban malaria invasion in Zimbabwe in order to identify intervention targets for restoring malaria-free status. The study will leverage on an existing national malaria vector surveillance programme established at Africa University in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s National Malaria Control Programme and its partners. This work will be undertaken with guidance from an experienced team of mentors with strong complementary expertise in public health, epidemiology, transmission biology, parasite genetics, genomics and human studies. Dr. Mharakurwa will further his career development by; 1) conducting and directing the laboratory assays, 2) undertaking short courses in molecular epidemiology, quantitative and sequence data analysis, translation research, conduct of clinical trials and grant-writing; and 3) presenting at international research conferences and writing publications. The program will be pivotal in enabling Dr. Mharakurwa to establish a career and strong collaboration as an independent malaria researcher in Zimbabwe. While Zimbabwe has made significant progress rolling back malaria, a serious setback of reinvasion from endemic to erstwhile malaria-free areas of the country, including highly populated cities, is emerging. The proposed research project will employ molecular and field approaches to understand the seasonal distribution, determinants and characteristics of parasites, vectors and humans associated with urban malaria invasion into Mutare City of Zimbabwe in order to identify strategies for reclaiming zero transmission.