VERDI Mpox

Why?

Since its emergence in 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has continuously evolved, giving rise to various variants of concern worldwide. These mutations can potentially enhance the virus’s transmissibility, severity, and ability to evade immunity and affect specific population groups, such as children, pregnant women and people living with and/or affected by HIV. Similarly, the future of the mpox outbreak in non-endemic countries remains uncertain.

Monitoring these groups across regions is crucial due to rapid changes in epidemiology, influenced by country-level interventions, vaccination and booster programmes and viral evolution. VERDI, a research initiative, aims to address these challenges by conducting observational cohort studies focusing on the impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants on pregnant women, infants, children, and adolescents. Additionally, VERDI will focus on key populations for mpox, such as people living with HIV and those attending sexual health clinics.

Finally, VERDI will develop research preparedness to respond to evolving outbreaks and potential emergence of future infections. The network will build on the well-established cohort partners involved across the world.

What?

In August 2022, VERDI received funding from the EU to incorporate a new Work Package (WP 7 – MPX AND PREPAREDNESS) dedicated to investigating mpox and establishing international research methods, processes and capacity to address emerging infections. The research will primarily focus on the UK, Italy, and Nigeria.

EATG and NAZ, a London-based sexual health charity, have been commissioned by VERDI to establish and manage a Community Advisory Group for VERDI Mpox. The Group will be established in February 2024 and intends to meet 3 times before ending in June 2024.

With whom?

The qualitative research within WP7 is under the leadership of University College London, whereas the co-leadership of the VERDI Mpox Community Advisory Group will be assumed jointly by EATG and NAZ.

How?

The VERDI Mpox Community Advisory Group is made up of 8 members, including two joint chairs, who belong to communities that are affected by mpox. These members are anticipated to offer diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences, ensuring comprehensive representation within the group.

Specifically, the Community Advisory Group will:

• Be involved in ad-hoc reviews of study documents, reports and publications, dissemination strategy, study design​ and study analyses.
• Provide community insight, feedback and guidance to shape the VERDI Mpox project to ensure that it reflects the needs and views of community members.
• Support recruitment by identifying different strategies and partners.
• At least 1 representative from the Group will be co-author on all outputs.
• Work with VERDI Mpox to seek the views of the wider public to highlight areas of good practice and make recommendations for improving services.
• Liaise with other patient, service user and community groups and ‘hard to reach’ and marginalised groups, to ensure the VERDI project is developed to meet their needs.
• Attend relevant coordination meetings.

For what outcome?

The objectives of VERDI Mpox, covering the UK, Italy, and Nigeria, are:

• Describe the representations of mpox in both print and social media.
• Investigate attitudes towards interventions aimed at reducing mpox transmission, such as vaccination, through an analysis of social media messaging and public discourse.
• Understand the experiences of communities affected by mpox regarding transmission- reducing interventions.
• Explore lived experiences of mpox, including instances of stigma and discrimination.
• Assess potential opportunities for further qualitative research on infectious diseases globally.