Viral Pathogens

病毒引起的感染仍然是一个重大的公共卫生挑战，特别是艾滋病毒，没有疫苗或治愈方法，以及新出现和重新出现的感染，如SARS-CoV-2和埃博拉病毒。我们与乌干达病毒研究所的密切联系是非洲少数几个致力于病毒研究的机构之一，与乌干达卫生部（MOH）的密切联系使该股能够在解决这些感染方面产生影响。病毒病原体主题有三个重点领域：病毒病原体流行病学和干预措施（VPEI）;病毒病原体发现，多样性和对流行病和疾病结果的影响（VPDD）;和致癌病毒免疫病毒学（OVI）。我们对上述每个重点领域的目标和关键目标将包括：1）VPEI：我们将开展艾滋病毒、致癌和新发/再发病毒感染、相关合并感染的流行病学和预防研究，以及改善长期健康状况的研究。2)VPDD：我们将为发现具有公共卫生重要性的新出现的病毒做出贡献，并了解病毒多样性如何影响流行病和疾病结果3）OVI：我们还将研究致癌病毒及其宿主相互作用，以促进癌症预防和控制。在VPEI和OVI领域，我们的工作将包括严格的社会科学研究，以了解疾病的社会决定因素，设计适当的干预措施，并研究影响采取干预措施的因素。

Infections caused by viruses remain a major public health challenge especially HIV with no vaccine or a cure and emerging and re-emerging infections like SARS-CoV-2 and Ebola. Our close affiliation to Uganda Virus Research Institute which is one of the few institutes in Africa dedicated to virus research, and the strong links to the Uganda Ministry of Health (MOH) enable the Unit to have impact in addressing these infections. The Viral Pathogen Theme has three focus areas: viral pathogen epidemiology and interventions (VPEI); viral pathogen discovery, diversity and impact on epidemic and disease outcome (VPDD); and oncogenic virus immunovirology (OVI). Our aims and key objectives for each of the above focus areas will include:1) VPEI: We will undertake research on the epidemiology & prevention of HIV, oncogenic and emerging/re-emerging viral infections, associated co-infections, and studies to improve long-term health conditions. 2) VPDD: We will contribute to the discovery of emerging viruses of public health importance and understand how viral diversity affects epidemics and disease outcome3) OVI: We will also study oncogenic viruses and their host interactions in order to contribute to cancer prevention and controlIn the areas of VPEI and OVI, our work will include rigorous social science research to understand the social determinants of disease, to design appropriate interventions, and to study factors that influence uptake of interventions.