Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

International Circumpolar Surveillance of Emerging Infectious Diseases  (ICS)

Outline
The goal of the International Circumpolar Surveillance (ICS) project is to establish an integrated surveillance network linking hospitals and public health laboratories throughout the Arctic for the purpose of monitoring emerging and reemerging infectious disease problems within Arctic communities, and assist in the formulation of preventive strategies. The current network monitors invasive bacterial diseases in the U.S. Arctic (Alaska) and northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Finland, and northern Sweden. Data is shared and the impact of interventions such as vaccines can be monitored over time. While ICS provides a model for international cooperation on infectious disease prevention and control, the model can be applied to the prevention and control of non infectious diseases and health conditions of concern to Arctic residents and these can be added to this system as the need and resources allow. Proposed ICS IPY 2007-2008 activities include: 1) Expansion of ICS to include the northern and far eastern regions of the Russian Federation. 2) The convening of infectious disease working group meetings with infectious disease specialists from northern regions and far eastern of the Russian Federation, to assess the infectious disease problems, surveillance methods, interventions and the training needs of infectious disease specialists in these regions. 3) The development of collaborative arrangements for infectious disease information exchange and inclusion of northern and far eastern regions of the Russian Federation in ICS system 4) Initiate an ICS International Fellowship program(2007-2008) 5) Expansion of ICS to monitor tuberculosis in circumpolar countries. 6) Expansion of ICS to include non infectious diseases, such as injuries, chronic diseases, and birth defects 7) Initiation of research projects to evaluate the long term sequellae of chronic hepatitis b infections indigenous populations of the Arctic, the investigation of the natural history of Helicobacter pylori in Arctic communities, the investigation of the emergence and potential control of invasive bacterial diseases caused by non vaccine serotypes of Haemophilus influenzae. 8) Initiation of a community based monitoring system for the detection of zoonotic diseases in subsistence animal species.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The ICS facilitates the collection and comparison of standardized data between countries, to accurately determine disease rates and the impact of interventions. Extension of this collaboration to include northern and far eastern regions of the Russian Federation will allow infectious disease information exchange between the Russian Federation other participating circumpolar countries, and research into the prevalence, natural history and long-term sequelle of infectious disease of concern to Arctic residents.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
ICS is an Arctic Council Sustainable Development working group project, managed by a steering committee with representation from the US Arctic (Alaska), northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway Finland, Sweden the Russian Federation, the World Health Organization, and permanent participants of the Arctic Council.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
US Arctic (Alaska), northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Sweden the Russian Federation.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 1/07 – 1/09            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
None

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
ICS is a network of hospital and public health laboratories and institutes established for the purposes of monitoring infectious diseases over time. Once established it is anticipated that this network will continue to operate beyond 2009. The network provides a model for the monitoring and prevention and control of non infectious diseases and health conditions of concern to Arctic residents.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
National agency
Other sources of support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes - ICS is an endorsed project of the Arctic Council’s Sustainable Development Working Group, and the Arctic Human Health Initiative (IPY #167)

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
No

This project is an extension of an existing program.

How will the project be organised and managed?
ICS is managed by an international steering committee with representation from the US Arctic (Alaska), northern Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway Finland, Sweden the Russian Federation, the World Health Organization, and permanent participants of the Arctic Council. Additional working groups (ie tuberculosis, birth defects, injuries), will be established as needed and will reports progress to the steering committee.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Activities include the hosting of working group meetings to with infectious disease specialists from northern regions and far eastern of the Russian Federation, to assess the infectious disease problems, surveillance methods, interventions and the training needs of infectious disease specialists in these regions. Additional training sessions will be provided as needed. The project will establish a 2 year International Circumpolar Surveillance Doctoral Fellowship allowing laboratory and epidemiologic training within an ICS host country. Summary surveillance data will be presented at national and international meetings and published periodically in peer reviewed journals. A comprehensive ICS report will be published for the 11th Ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council in March 2008.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Surveillance data collection and distribution is the responsibility of each participating countries public health agency. ICS summary data sets without identifying information are sent to the CDC’s Arctic Investigations Program, for storage and analysis. Compliance with the IPY Data Policy, will be in accordance with the guidelines established by the AHHI data management advisory committee.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding of country specific ICS activities will be the responsibility of each participating countries public health agency, or project principle investigator.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Alan Parkinson
Arctic Investigations Program
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
4055 Tudor Centre Drive. Anchorage Alaska
99508
USA

Tel: 907 729 3407
Mobile: no
Fax: 907 729 3429
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation