Specimen collection protocols to accompany FF100 enhanced data collection studies

Description

What does this project mean for future pandemics?

• At the beginning of a pandemic or outbreak, researchers need to collect information about the ‘first few hundred’ (FF100) cases so they can estimate the severity of the infection and how easily it can be transmitted among people.
• To improve Australia’s ability to respond to an infectious emergency, this project will develop pre-approved protocols so the collection and analysis of the first few hundred cases and samples can begin as soon as an outbreak occurs.

Project details

This project addresses one of APPRISE’s key objectives – to develop protocols in preparedness for emergency response. It bridges the public health and laboratory research areas and involves collaboration between the research and public health sectors. The project provides an early case study for the development of information sharing pathways and processes and the development of multi-jurisdictional pre-emptive ethical approvals for Australia.

• The pre-approved protocols will cover specimen collection, laboratory transfer and reporting to support public health unit enhanced data collection activities (FF100 studies) during the initial action phase of pandemic response in Australia.
• The development of the research protocol for enhanced specimen collection will occur in partnership with public health units and involve the APPRISE Health Informatics Specialist.
• This project will enable collection of specimens from individuals experiencing a range of clinical symptoms of differing severity. Laboratory studies of these specimens will increase understanding of the sequence of events that lead to disease, informing development of effective measures for prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

This project team will work closely with the project team adapting the FF100 protocol for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.