Infection experts get ready to fight disease
Whether it is another pandemic or a measles outbreak, a new research platform aims to better prepare New Zealand to fight infectious diseases.
‘‘A strong link between science and action’’ will mean better expertise and readiness when there are threats, Minister of Research, Science and Innovation Dr Ayesha Verrall said. She launched the new platform – Te Niwha – at Tūrangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia yesterday.
The launch followed a Government announcement in December last year that the Institute of Environmental Science and Research and the University of Otago would host the $36 million project.
Verrall said a network of experts would work together on set research questions but in collaboration with health services and the community.
‘‘We know that technology can do amazing things but it does nothing unless it can be deployed in the community. So really bringing the community into that research and development process strengthens the ability of research to have impact.’’
She said equity was important because Covid-19 and other infectious diseases disproportionately affected Māori. The platform aimed to improve the resilience of all communities, and make sure infectious diseases were tackled effectively and efficiently.
Verrall said New Zealand faced the Covid-19 pandemic with plans based on Covid-19 being similar to the flu because of limited research. She remembered a report from the World Health Organisation in February 2020 with information about the first cases in Wuhan, which said it was ‘‘similar to the flu but not
quite like the flu’’ and people could spread it without symptoms.
‘‘That really gave the clue that contact tracing would be part of the response, so those early pieces of data are really important.’’
A platform like Te Niwha would have provided research that could help with the formulation of a national response.
Verrall said scientists planned to start with researching measles and immunisation.
ESR chief scientist Dr Brett Cowan said the platform built on the central role science played in managing the response to Covid19. ‘‘New Zealand can be very proud of its science-led response, which involved harnessing expertise from across the country to inform decision-making and support our communities.’’