Robert Verity
A5084944682- Malaria Research and Control
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- COVID-19 Pandemic Impacts
- COVID-19 and healthcare impacts
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- COVID-19 and Mental Health
- COVID-19 Clinical Research Studies
- Hemoglobinopathies and Related Disorders
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Genetics, Bioinformatics, and Biomedical Research
- Data-Driven Disease Surveillance
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Travel-related health issues
- vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Healthcare Systems and Reforms
- Genetic Mapping and Diversity in Plants and Animals
- Complement system in diseases
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Computational Drug Discovery Methods
Imperial College London
2015-2024
Medical Research Council
2014-2024
National Centre for Infectious Diseases
2021-2022
Christian Medical College & Hospital
2022
Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust
2021
London Centre for Neglected Tropical Disease Research
2018-2020
University of Oxford
2020
University of Cambridge
2020
Brown University
2020
National University of Singapore
2020
BackgroundIn the face of rapidly changing data, a range case fatality ratio estimates for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been produced that differ substantially in magnitude. We aimed to provide robust estimates, accounting censoring and ascertainment biases.MethodsWe collected individual-case data patients who died from COVID-19 Hubei, mainland China (reported by national provincial health commissions Feb 8, 2020), cases outside (from government or ministry websites media reports...
The global impact of COVID-19 has been profound, and the public health threat it represents is most serious seen in a respiratory virus since 1918 H1N1 influenza pandemic. Here we present results epidemiological modelling which informed policymaking UK other countries recent weeks. In absence vaccine, assess potential role number measures – so-called non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) aimed at reducing contact rates population thereby transmission virus. presented here, apply previously...
Global prospects for COVID-19 control Lower-income countries have recognized the potential impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from observing ongoing epidemics. Many intervened quickly and early with measures to slow viral transmission, which may partly explain low rates observed so far in these countries. Walker et al. calibrated a global model country-specific data (see Perspective by Metcalf ). Despite potentially protective effects younger demographics, closer intergenerational...
SummaryBackgroundCOVID-19 has the potential to cause substantial disruptions health services, due cases overburdening system or response measures limiting usual programmatic activities. We aimed quantify extent which services for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria in low-income middle-income countries with high burdens of these diseases could lead additional loss life over next 5 years.MethodsAssuming a basic reproduction number 3·0, we constructed four scenarios possible responses COVID-19...
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, countries have sought control SARS-CoV-2 transmission by restricting population movement through social distancing interventions, thus reducing number of contacts. Mobility data represent an important proxy measure distancing, and here, we characterise relationship between mobility for 52 around world. Transmission significantly decreased with initial reduction in 73% analysed, but found evidence decoupling following relaxation strict measures 80%...
BackgroundThe RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine targets the circumsporozoite protein, inducing antibodies associated with prevention of Plasmodium falciparum infection. We assessed association between anti-circumsporozoite antibody titres and magnitude duration efficacy using data from a phase 3 trial done 2009 2014.MethodsUsing 8922 African children aged 5–17 months 6537 infants 6–12 weeks at first vaccination, we analysed determinants immunogenicity after vaccination or without booster dose....
Summary Background A range of case fatality ratio (CFR) estimates for COVID-19 have been produced that differ substantially in magnitude. Methods We used individual-case data from mainland China and cases detected outside to estimate the time between onset symptoms outcome (death or discharge hospital). next obtained age-stratified CFR by relating aggregate distribution dates observed cumulative deaths China, assuming a constant attack rate age adjusting demography population, age-...
The phase 3 trial of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine candidate showed modest efficacy against Plasmodium falciparum malaria, but was not powered to assess mortality endpoints. Impact projections and cost-effectiveness estimates for longer timeframes than follow-up across a range settings are needed inform policy recommendations. We aimed public health impact routine use in African settings.We compared four transmission models their predictions impact. used data 32 months or parameterise...
Abstract Background After experiencing a sharp growth in COVID-19 cases early the pandemic, South Korea rapidly controlled transmission while implementing less stringent national social distancing measures than countries Europe and USA. This has led to substantial interest their “test, trace, isolate” strategy. However, it is important understand epidemiological peculiarities of Korea’s outbreak characterise response before attempting emulate these elsewhere. Methods We systematically...
The burden of malaria is heavily concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where cases and deaths associated with COVID-19 are rising1. In response, countries implementing societal measures aimed at curtailing transmission SARS-CoV-22,3. Despite these measures, the epidemic could still result millions as local health facilities become overwhelmed4. Advances control this century have been largely due to distribution long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs)5, many SSA having planned campaigns for...
A SARS-CoV-2 transmission model fitted to surveillance data estimates virus transmissibility, infection severity, and the impact of interventions.
Abstract Genomic surveillance of Plasmodium falciparum malaria can provide policy-relevant information about antimalarial drug resistance, diagnostic test failure, and the evolution vaccine targets. Yet large low complexity genome P. complicates development genomic methods, while resource constraints in endemic regions limit their deployment. Here, we demonstrate an approach for targeted nanopore sequencing from dried blood spots (DBS) that enables cost-effective low-resource settings. We...
Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) account for more than two-thirds of malaria diagnoses in Africa. Deletions the Plasmodium falciparum hrp2 (pfhrp2) gene cause false-negative RDT results and have never been investigated on a national level. Spread pfhrp2-deleted P. mutants, resistant to detection by HRP2-based RDTs, would represent serious threat elimination efforts.Using nationally representative cross-sectional study 7,137 children under five years age from Democratic Republic Congo (DRC), we...
Summary Brazil is an epicentre for COVID-19 in Latin America. In this report we describe the Brazilian epidemic using three epidemiological measures: number of infections, deaths and reproduction number. Our modelling framework requires sufficient death data to estimate trends, therefore limit our analysis 16 states that have experienced a total more than fifty deaths. The distribution among highly heterogeneous, with 5 states—Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Ceara, Pernambuco Amazonas—accounting...
A better understanding of the drivers spread malaria parasites and drug resistance across space time is needed. These can be elucidated using genetic tools. Here, a novel molecular inversion probe (MIP) panel targeting all major drug-resistance mutations set microsatellites was used to genotype Plasmodium falciparum infections 552 children from 2013-2014 Demographic Health Survey conducted in Democratic Republic Congo (DRC). Microsatellite-based analysis population structure suggests that...
Recent global progress in scaling up malaria control interventions has revived the goal of complete elimination many countries. Decreasing transmission intensity generally leads to increasingly patchy spatial patterns settings, with programs having accurately identify remaining foci order efficiently target interventions.The role connectivity between different pockets local is increasing importance as near since humans are able transfer parasites beyond limits mosquito dispersal, thus...
<ns4:p><ns4:bold>Background</ns4:bold>: The COVID-19 epidemic was declared a Global Pandemic by WHO on 11 March 2020. By 24 2020, over 440,000 cases and almost 20,000 deaths had been reported worldwide. In response to the fast-growing epidemic, which began in Chinese city of Wuhan, Hubei, China imposed strict social distancing Wuhan 23 January 2020 followed closely similar measures other provinces. These interventions have impacted economic productivity China, ability economy resume without...
The worldwide endeavour to develop safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines has been extraordinary, vaccination is now underway in many countries. However, the doses available 2021 are likely be limited. We extend a mathematical model of SARS-CoV-2 transmission across different country settings evaluate public health impact potential using WHO-developed target product profiles. identify optimal vaccine allocation strategies within- between-countries maximise averted deaths under constraints on...
A key quantity in the analysis of structured populations is parameter K, which describes number subpopulations that make up total population. Inference K ideally proceeds via model evidence, equivalent to likelihood model. However, evidence favor a particular value cannot usually be computed exactly, and instead programs such as Structure use heuristic estimators approximate this quantity. We show-using simulated data sets small enough true can exactly-that these heuristics often fail...
Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have transformed malaria diagnosis. The most prevalent P. falciparum RDTs detect histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2). However, pfhrp2 gene deletions yielding false-negative RDTs, first reported in South America 2010, been confirmed Africa and Asia. We developed a mathematical model to explore the potential for RDT-led diagnosis drive selection of pfhrp2-deleted parasites. Low prevalence high frequencies people seeking treatment resulted greatest pressure....
Abstract The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) harbors 11% global malaria cases, yet little is known about spatial and genetic structure parasite population in that country. We sequence 2537 Plasmodium falciparum infections, including a nationally representative sample from DRC samples surrounding countries, using molecular inversion probes - high-throughput genotyping tool. identify an east-west divide haplotypes to confer resistance chloroquine sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. Furthermore,...