Dengue Risk Investigation for Preparedness (DengRIP)

Summary

The Dengue Risk Investigation for Preparedness (DengRIP) project, funded by NIHR, is led by Dr David Weetman (LSTM) and Prof Athanase Badolo (Ki-Zerbo University, Burkina Faso). It aims to address the rising threat of dengue, chikungunya, and Zika in Ouagadougou as a model for West Africa, where Aedes aegypti, the primary vector, thrives in urban environments. With no effective vaccines or treatments for many arboviral diseases, vector control remains the best protection. The global resurgence of dengue is driven by urbanisation, globalisation, and ineffective vector control, and Burkina Faso has been identified as a transmission hotspot. DengRIP focuses on community-based vector surveillance, control, and risk prediction to enhance outbreak preparedness.

The project will develop an improved arbovirus risk index by modelling Ae. aegypti abundance, distribution, and behaviour. Data will be collected on mosquito genetics, human exposure, and environmental factors. A community-based surveillance system using the Mosquito Alert mobile app will allow citizens to report mosquito activity, cross-validated with traditional monitoring. Additionally, DengRIP will trial vector control methods, including larval source management, indoor residual spraying, attractive toxic sugar baits, and volatile pyrethroid emanators.

DengRIP is a multi-partner collaboration, involving  Université Joseph KI-Zerbo and Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé  in Burkina Faso, and northern partners such as University of Oxford (UK), Institut de Recherche pour le Développement  (France), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (Spain), and the University of Glasgow (UK).

A strong focus on capacity building ensures local scientists gain expertise in entomology, social science, genetics, and epidemiology. Community engagement is central, as local involvement is key to successful surveillance and control. By integrating scientific research with community action, DengRIP aims to create sustainable solutions to combat arboviral diseases and improve public health preparedness in West Africa.

The Team

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK: David Weetman PI;  Philip McCall Co-I;  Luca Facchinelli Programme manager

Université Joseph KI-Zerbo, Burkina Faso: Athanase Badolo Co-PI (LinkedIn)

Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé (IRSS), Burkina Faso; Lea Pare Toe Co-I (LinkedIn)

University of Glasgow, UK; Mafalda Viana Co-I

University of Oxford, UK; Ann Kelly Co-I

Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Spain; Frederic Bartumeus Ferre' Co-I

Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) in Occitanie, France; Franck Remoue Co-I (LinkedIn)

The field site in Burkina Faso

Field site in Burkina Faso

Pictures of the kick-off meeting in Ouagadougou (October 2024)

Picture of the kick-off meeting in Ouagadougou (October 2024)

Picture of the kick-off meeting in Ouagadougou (October 2024)