This project will focus on vaccination strategies for two important zoonotic viruses: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). RVFV causes abortions in livestock and potentially severe disease in humans, while CCHFV causes no signs of disease in livestock but case fatality in humans can reach 40%. RVFV can be found in Africa and CCHFV can be found in Africa, Asia, eastern Europe and the Middle East. No treatment is currently available for either disease, while prevention or control is difficult. Recently, however, vaccine candidates have been developed for these viruses that could be used in both animals and humans. This raises the possibility of a One Health approach to their control, but the effectiveness of such strategies has yet to be evaluated. Identifying the most cost-effective vaccination strategies will support policy makers in affected countries in designing and delivering appropriate vaccination programmes.

The project will provide the student with training in mathematical modelling, epidemiology and health economics applied to real-world problems.