Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #78: Assessing the status of the food-borne zoonotic diseases, Trichinellosis and Toxoplasmosis, in Arctic Communities.  (Assessing the status of Trichinellosis and Toxoplasmosis in Arctic Communities.)

Outline
The life styles and food habits of indigenous inhabitants of the north make them susceptible to several serious zoonotic pathogens. Historical anecdotal evidence and recent reports suggest that the parasitic diseases, toxoplasmosis and trichinellosis may be endemic in northern communities. Although the effect of these parasites on the health and well-being of humans can be devastating, the situation in Canada’s northern populations is unknown. The concept and scope of this project are to evaluate the status and as appropriate, start a serious monitoring of Trichinella nativa and Toxoplasma gondii, in terrestrial and marine animals which are used for food in the Arctic. These two parasites are important public health pathogens in Canada’s north and as well as in other polar countries. Due to traditional practices and economic issues, a lot of northern inhabitants hunt for food. It is often eaten raw, dried, prepared as sausages or otherwise and is not inspected for zoonotic pathogens. Furthermore, Inuit from Canada for example, share their meat with other people from their community and send it to other villages. This practice has created many epidemics throughout the years and many people became seriously ill or have died because of it. There is a need to assemble all data nationally and internationally from the circumpolar regions to gather information relating to the prevalence and transmission of these parasites and evaluate the feasibility of establishing monitoring, testing and education programs specialized for trichinellosis and toxoplasmosis. Further research is also needed to understand fully the transmission dynamics of these parasites in their different arctic animal and human hosts. In Canada, this project will be an addition to the existing northern facilities and prevention programs on Trichinellosis located at the Nunavik Research Centre in Kuujjuaq, Quebec and Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. These facilities could be used to train a few local employees to help monitor Trichinella native and Toxoplasma gondii in all Arctic animals involved in their respective life cycles and start a prevention program for Toxoplasma gondii. Internationally, Greenland is interested in setting up a Trichinellosis prevention program similar to Canadians. In return, we are interested in learning techniques to monitor Toxoplasmosis used by other arctic countries and share knowledge on the two pathogens.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project will create significant advances in updating existing databases on trichinellosis and toxoplasmosis by accumulating historical and recent records, traditional knowledge, national and international data. Analysis of this information will show disease trends relative to changing life styles, food preparation and consumption. It will allow international comparison of disease manifestation and control procedures and create an action plan to start an international monitoring and educational program to limit human epidemics. Inuit involvement will provide tools to improve living conditions without losing their traditional practices. This information may be valuable in freeze tolerance control measures and in other disciplines.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Confirmed international collaborators are: Christian Kapel, Professor, PhD, & Lone Nukaaraq Moeller, MSc, PhD stud. Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology,WHO/FAO Collaborating Centre on Parasitic Zoonoses, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, DENMARK. Need to be confirmed collaborators are from Russia, China, Finland, Alaska and Sweden.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The confirmed geographic location are Nunavik, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, and Greenland. Alaska, Sweden, Finland, Russia and Northern China are expected to join this project.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 03/2008 – 03/2009            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
For the parasite monitoring program, samples will be collected by inuit hunters and sent to the existing field stations in Kuujjuaq, Quebec, Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Yellownife, NWT, Inuvik and Whitehorse, Yukon. The only support needed will be in new laboratory equipment for analysis.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
This project will increase income and provide training for northern communities as well as a disease monitoring program and policies on food safety. The monitoring program infrastructure coupled with communication activities will provide public security on food consumption without changing traditional practices.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

By commercial operator, I mean that we pay Inuit to collect sample during their traditional hunt.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
We have a letter of support by the International Commission of Trichinellosis (see attached document) and we will soon receive a letter of support from the Greenland Home Rule Council. This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: Ecosystems: Terrestrial Processes

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?
yes

This is a new autonomous proposal. The ideas were discussed among research scientists during a few international meetings in 2004. The IPY program themes fitted well with most of the goals of the project.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will first be organised and managed by a hired employee. The employee will organise an international workshop, collect and add data into existing databases. During the workshop, an international monitoring committee on trichinellosis and toxoplasmosis will be created. Its goal will be to manage the monitoring program, evaluate infrastructure needs, analyse collected information, and study the parasites' life cycles. Each country will coordinate their own monitoring program with the help and recommendations of the newly created international committee.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Different local, national and international organisations will be invited to a workshop to gather data, evaluate needs, and establish collaboration to achieve national and international goals. Oral and written reports updating activities and results will be given by radio, newspapers, community meetings, IPY committee, national and international agencies and conferences.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data collected will be included in the database created by the CCWHC (Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre) and the Animal Disease Database create by OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) and the World Data Center for Biodiversity and Ecology.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Unsecured funding sources from the following Canadian organisations are: ACADRE, Makivik Corporation, Department of Northern and Indian Affairs, Nunavut and NWT government. Estimated costs are $375,000 distributed in two years. They include employee salaries, training, workshop organisation, communications, laboratory equipment, diagnostic program coordination, sample collection and shipping.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Each country is expected to find their own funding depending on their needs. Greenland Home Rule is expected to fund Greenland activities. Since other countries have not confirmed their involvement yet, it is impossible to predict their sources of funding.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Ms  Manon Simard
Makivik Corporation, Nunavik Research Centre
P.O. Box 179, Nunavik Research Centre, Makivik Corporation, Kuujjuaq, Quebec
J0M 1C0
Canada

Tel: (819)-964-2925 ext 259
Mobile: no
Fax: (819)-964-2230
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation