Reinforced Collaboration for the Investigation and Response to Emerging Viral Pathogens of Security Concern

Collaborations

• National Microbiology Laboratory, Canada.
• Faculty of Environmental Sciences, National University of Laos, Laos.
• National Animal Health Laboratory (NAHL), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Lao PDR.

Funding

• Global Affairs Canada, Canada.

Objectives

The project aims to accomplish the following expected results:

• Enhanced capacity in Laos to monitor for, rapidly detect and effectively respond to disease events involving especially dangerous pathogens of bioterrorism and bioweapons concern.
• Increased knowledge and awareness among local scientists/community on zoonotic viral pathogens and their safe acquisition, handling, storage, and catalogue of biological samples.

• Increased biosafety and biosecurity skills, awareness, and application at IPL through the creation of a dedicated biosafety office.
• Strengthened detection, diagnosis, science, and response to emerging viral pathogens by Lao scientists, technicians, and other national stakeholders. • Reduced risks and threats from emerging infectious zoonotic diseases in Lao PDR and globally.

Background

Southeast Asia is well-known to be a hotspot for emerging viral pathogens, which include Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and other SARSCoV- like viruses, H5-subtype avian influenza virus, and Nipah virus (1). These pathogens are believed to have originated in animals before being transmitted to humans, either directly or through an intermediate host. Lao PDR, a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, currently lacks a robust surveillance system for detecting diseases caused by emerging viruses and has limited laboratory capacity for the rapid detection of novel pathogens. Consequently, it is imperative to establish and reinforce local capabilities for safe investigation and rapid response to emerging zoonotic viral diseases.

The project, “Reinforced Collaboration for the Investigation and Response to Emerging Viral Pathogens of Security Concern,” is a scientific collaborative effort between the Institut Pasteur du Laos (IPL) in Lao PDR and the National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) in Canada, funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). Following the completion of the initial pilot phase, the project is dedicated to further enhancing sustainable local capacities in Lao PDR against emerging viral pathogens with pandemic potential, thus ensuring biological threat reduction and strengthening the scientific cooperation between Canada and Lao PDR.

To implement the One Health approach, IPL, representing the human health sector, has established collaborative partnerships with local entities in both the animal and environmental sectors, including the Faculty of Environmental Sciences (FES) at the National University of Laos and the National Animal Health Laboratory (NAHL) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Figure 1: Collaboration and conceptual framework.

Methodology and results

Biosafety and biosecurity:

Several noticeable improvements have been achieved in the awareness and skills related to biosafety and biosecurity at IPL. Laboratory personnel are now more engaged in safety drills and demonstrate deeper knowledge of potential biosafety risks. The biosafety officer of IPL is currently supporting the development of the biosafety curriculum for the Faculty of Medical Technology at the University of Health Sciences, as well as the national biosafety e-learning resource.

Figure 2: Biosafety/biosecurity-related activities.

Local capacity building

IPL partnered with colleagues from the NML to assess and improve the biosafety standards and efficiency of several Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including those for sample inactivation, DNA/RNA extraction, and screening assays. We also developed new SOPs to broaden the capacity of IPL for pan-flavivirus screening. Multiple on-site visits were organized to strengthen the skills of Lao scientists and researchers. This included two NML visits to IPL, where training was provided on next-generation sequencing, bioinformatics, sample inactivation/extraction, protein expression, and ELISA.

Field missions

The field missions for the year 2024 were conducted in 3 sites, including Kasi district, Vientiane province; Khounkham district, Khammoune province; and Viengthong district, Bolikhamxay province. A total of 5,881 biological samples were collected. These samples included anal, saliva, and urine swabs, ectoparasites, as well as blood and tissues obtained from bats, rodents, and small mammals.

Figure 3: Number of biological samples collected.

Laboratory activities

The samples are currently undergoing laboratory testing using PCR-based methods targeting eight viral groups. IPL is responsible for testing coronaviruses (2), paramyxoviruses (3), hantaviruses (4), and lentiviruses (5), while NML handles phleboviruses, Old World arenaviruses, filoviruses, and nairoviruses. Additional analyses will be based on the baseline results obtained. More comprehensive findings will be shared in forthcoming publications and reports.

Discussion.

This project aims to strengthen local capacity to investigate and respond to potential viral pathogens by improving skills and raising awareness in biosafety, biosecurity, diagnostic capabilities, and in-depth pathogen analysis. Currently, the collected samples are being tested, and the detected pathogens will undergo further characterization. These results will provide valuable insights into the prevalence, transmissibility, and spillover potential of these pathogens.

Conclusion & perspectives

Through collaboration with NML, a significant exchange of knowledge and experience has taken place among the partners. This will better prepare Lao PDR and the surrounding region for the emergence of high-impact pathogens, including those with pandemic potential.

References

1. Jones KE, Patel NG, Levy MA, et al. Global trends in emerging infectious diseases. Nature. 2008;451(7181):990-993. doi:10.1038/nature06536.
2. Chu DKW, Leung CYH, Gilbert M, et al. Avian Coronavirus in Wild Aquatic Birds. Journal of Virology. 2011;85(23):12815-12820. doi:10.1128/jvi.05838-11.
3. Tong S, Chern SWW, Li Y, Pallansch MA, Anderson LJ. Sensitive and Broadly Reactive Reverse Transcription-PCR Assays To Detect Novel Paramyxoviruses. Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 2008;46(8):2652-2658. doi:10.1128/jcm.00192-08.
4. Klempa B, Fichet-Calvet E, Lecompte E, et al. Hantavirus in African wood mouse, Guinea. Emerg Infect Dis. 2006;12(5):838-840. doi:10.3201/eid1205.051487.