is a project that prioritises pregnant women, children and high-risk populations in research on new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.
It also focuses on preparedness for future infections outbreaks, building on experiences with COVID-19 and mpox.
is a project that prioritises pregnant women, children and high-risk populations in research on new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.
It also focuses on preparedness for future infections outbreaks, building on experiences with COVID-19 and mpox.
Through a multidisciplinary global network, we want to improve the understanding of the epidemiology, transmission, disease progression and treatment of variants of SARS-CoV-2 among children and pregnant women, and of mpox in populations at higher risk of infection or severe disease, such as people living with or at high risk of HIV. We also aim to improve research preparedness, so that studies can be carried out quickly and efficiently during future outbreaks.
Why this project
Since the start of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2019, new ‘variants of concern’ have continued to emerge, and their potential impact on pregnant women and children is not well understood. Moreover, the ongoing mpox outbreak remains unpredictable and it is crucial to monitor its effects and prepare mitigation measures, both in current high-risk groups and other groups which may be more affected in future.
The experience of both COVID-19 and mpox has highlighted the need to facilitate a rapid research response to infectious disease outbreaks, so that studies can be launched rapidly to identify population groups most at risk, as well as effective treatments and prevention strategies, without unnecessary duplication of effort.
The VERDI response
The VERDI Consortium will generate improved evidence on the epidemiology, outcomes, prevention and treatment of variants of SARS-CoV-2 amongst children and pregnant women as a global response to the pandemic, involving cohort studies from diverse geographic and economic settings. It will also improve understanding of the epidemiology and impact of mpox in children, pregnant women and high-risk groups.
The evidence and insight arising from the multidisciplinary research will help to rapidly deliver recommendations on the best strategies to control viral spread and optimize clinical management and treatment of COVID-19 and mpox infection.
VERDI brings together a diverse range of cohort studies
including large scale national and regional level population-based cohort studies, in depth hospital cohorts, transmission studies, and participatory studies, from the EU and beyond, providing a unique opportunity for coordinated analyses and modelling of data on SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and mpox from a range of sources.
Governance
The VERDI consortium consists of 29 centers of excellence in Europe, the USA, Africa, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. It is coordinated by the University of Padua and Penta Foundation (Italy), with scientific coordination shared between University of Padua and University College London.
The Consortium works closely together with other COVID and mpox research projects to ensure complementarity to and alignment with ongoing research efforts and infrastructures at EU level and beyond.
