FEF Indopacifique Project

The impacts of climate change are dramatically remodeling ecosystems, increasing the likelihood of outbreaks of zoonotic and waterborne diseases. In light of this heightened risk, there is an urgent need for more effective environmental surveillance of infectious diseases, and the Pasteur Network institutes based in the Indo-Pacific region are ideally placed to contribute to efforts in this area.

The aim of the FEF Indopacifique project is to establish collaboration and build lasting relationships of trust with local authorities to improve responsiveness. The project has two main strands: mapping the risks of schistosomiasis in Lao PDR and Madagascar, and preventing avian influenza in Vanuatu.
 

Synergy with the ECOMORE network

The project draws on the strong ECOMORE network and is firmly in line with ECOMORE's priorities – climate change, platforms for regional dialog and links between countries. The two initiatives feed into each other, with ECOMORE providing its infrastructure and network and FEF Indopacifique opening up two new fields for scientific and technical collaboration.

The risk of schistosomiasis in Lao PDR and Madagascar

Schistosomiasis, also known as bilharzia, is a tropical parasitic disease caused by flatworms of the genus Schistosoma. Infection occurs on contact with contaminated freshwater, when microscopic larvae carried by freshwater snails, which serve as intermediate hosts, penetrate human skin. Once inside the body, the adult worms live in the blood vessels, especially near the gut or bladder. Symptoms vary depending on the parasite species and the phase of infection. When the larvae penetrate the skin they can often cause itching and redness. A few weeks later, the acute phase typically gives rise to fever, fatigue, cough, stomach ache, diarrhea or blood in the urine or stools. If the infection is not treated and becomes chronic, it can lead to severe complications, which vary depending on the Schistosoma species but may include stiffening of the liver, known as hepatic fibrosis, and problems with the bladder and genital organs in cases of urogenital schistosomiasis.

The aim of this first strand is to contribute to efforts to eliminate schistosomiasis in Laos and Madagascar by identifying areas at risk and improving prevention strategies. The Institut Pasteur du Laos, the Institut Pasteur de Madagascar and the CIRAD team based in Madagascar are currently pursuing several activities to achieve this aim:

• Based on environmental and climate indicators in the two countries, a map of high-risk areas is being produced to enable more targeted surveillance.
• Efforts are being made to improve understanding of local community practices so that more effective surveillance and prevention solutions can be introduced. This will also help optimize communication by taking into account the specific challenges of different communities.
• As well as surveillance and prevention measures, the aim is also to improve the capabilities of local laboratories over the long term so that they are equipped to detect schistosomiasis using effective modern methods.

Lastly, additional preventive activities will be carried out in selected villages. The goal is to train and empower local residents to monitor how the disease is progressing in their community. 

Targeting avian influenza in Vanuatu

The aim of the second strand is to develop detection and prevention capabilities for avian influenza in the environment and in domestic and wild bird populations in Vanuatu. This strand involves several Pasteur Network member institutes in the Indo-Pacific region, drawing on the resources of the Institut Pasteur in Paris and the Institut Pasteur de Nouvelle-Calédonie, as well as the expertise of the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge in sequencing avian influenza viruses. The project will benefit Vanuatu, where the risks of future avian influenza outbreaks are becoming a priority, especially as climate change interferes with bird migration patterns. 

The strand involves four key activities, carried out in synergy by the various members:

• Training teams in Vanuatu in modern surveillance methods, incorporating environmental, animal and human health, to monitor the circulation of the avian influenza virus in Vanuatu as effectively as possible.
• Testing molecular and serological surveillance tools adapted for Pacific island contexts within Vanuatu to assess how effective they are in meeting the country's health needs.
• Strengthening coordination between the veterinary, laboratory and health sectors via a One Health approach to improve dialog, communication and responsiveness among the network.
• Examining the possibility of extending this approach to other territories in the Pacific region, especially Fiji and Tonga, in collaboration with the Pacific Community (PC), with a view to developing a regional surveillance network. 
  
  Over time, the aim is to provide Vanuatu with a sustainable, coordinated surveillance mechanism that can be adapted for use in other Pacific countries facing the same health risks.