Caribbean-Radboudumc consortium secures ZonMw funding for pandemic preparedness research in the Caribbean

A collaboration between clinician scientists from the Radboudumc, headed by Lilly Verhagen, and several key Caribbean institutes has received a ZonMw grant for a research project focused on enhancing pandemic preparedness in the Caribbean.

Clinicians and researchers from several backgrounds and Caribbean institutes (Radjinkoemar Steingrover & Fleur Koene, medical microbiologists; Angelino Tromp, medical molecular microbiologist; Martijn Tilanus, pediatrician; and Sonja van Roeden, internist and infectious diseases subspecialist) will collaborate with Lilly in this comprehensive investigation into the dynamics of respiratory infections and immunological responses to viral infections in the Caribbean region.

In the Caribbean, preventive measures, such as flu vaccination, are currently synchronized with practices in the Netherlands. However, the distinct dynamics of viral infections in the Caribbean, influenced by factors like the tropical climate and tourism influx, necessitate a tailored approach. The team’s project addresses this gap by undertaking the first systematic exploration of viral epidemiology in the Caribbean, providing valuable data to optimize the timing of preventive measures. In addition, within the Laboratory of Medical Immunology at the Radboudumc, headed by Marien de Jonge, Lilly and her team will characterize mucosal antibodies to assess the susceptibility of the Caribbean population to outbreaks of existing and new viruses. This additional layer of research adds depth to our understanding of the region's vulnerability to respiratory viruses.

The project not only represents a major step towards enhancing pandemic preparedness but also emphasizes the significance of international collaboration in the pursuit of global health solutions.