Pacific Infectious Diseases (Operational Research, Surveillance and Resilience)

Our goal is to become a key partner in the Pacific region, providing technical expertise in infectious diseases operational research, surveillance and response.

Group Heads

About

We aim to provide technical expertise and support for infectious diseases operational research, surveillance and response across 3 focus areas:

pandemic preparedness and response
triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis, HIV and hepatitis B
operational research.

Many Pacific Island countries and territories experience a high, unaddressed burden of infectious diseases. The Pacific region faces unique challenges associated with geographically dispersed islands and small populations.

Our dynamic team of emerging Pasifika researchers and public health professionals has more than 20 years of technical expertise in the Pacific. We help Pacific governments and other partners respond to infectious diseases through:

operational research
surveillance
building resilience to infectious disease threats.

Our focus areas

Pandemic preparedness and response

Our work in this area supports health system strengthening for timely and efficient outbreak detection and response.

Triple elimination

Here, our work supports governments to deliver and evaluate the impact of essential interventions. The aim is the triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B.

Operational research

We support healthcare workers to lead operational research and develop prioritised national research agendas.

Current projects

Improving disease outbreak response time in the Pacific: 7-1-7 tool testing

We're working with partners to see how the 7-1-7 approach can help track and respond to disease outbreaks in the Pacific.

Open to students

Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B in Vanuatu

We offer a range of studies focusing on prevention of mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B.

News and features

Strengthening disease outbreak response in the Pacific

Preventing hepatitis B mother-to-child transmissions in Vanuatu

Featured publications

18 Dec 2024

Protektem pikinini blong yu trial: protocol for a single arm field trial to assess the effectiveness of treating-all pregnant women with hepatitis B infection with tenofovir prophylaxis to prevent mother-to-child transmission in Vanuatu, 2024–2025

BMC Public Health

Zeshi Fisher, Leila Bell, Aleesha Kalulu, Kali Ameara, Caroline Homer, Caroline van Gemert, Leila Bell, Aleesha Kalulu, Kali Ameara, Zeshi Fisher

Open access

06 Apr 2023

Progress towards triple elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis in Pacific Island Countries and Territories: a systematic review

The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific

Leila Bell, Caroline van Gemert, Margaret Hellard, Caroline Homer, Jess Howell

Open access

24 Jun 2022

The impact of COVID-19 on public health systems in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories

The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific

Caroline van Gemert, Leila Bell, Mark Stoové, Margaret Hellard, Leila Bell, Caroline van Gemert, Mark Stoové, Margaret Hellard, Leila Bell, Caroline van Gemert

Open access

31 Mar 2024

High SARS-CoV-2 attack rates in areas with low detection after community transmission established in Port Vila, Vanuatu, April 2022

Western Pacific surveillance response journal

Caroline van Gemert

Open access

01 Sep 2024

Operational research highlights ongoing challenges for comprehensive TB services in Papua New Guinea

Public Health Action

Andrew B. Holmes, J. Greig, Hamish Graham

Open access

30 Jun 2021

Challenges to implementation and strengthening of initial COVID-19 surveillance in Vanuatu: January–April 2020

Western Pacific surveillance response journal

Caroline van Gemert

Open access

Group contacts

Main contacts

Dr Caroline van Gemert

Co-Head, Pacific Infectious Diseases (Operational Research, Surveillance and Resilience) Working Group

Caroline.vangemert@burnet.edu.au

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Dr Jane Greig

Co-Head, Pacific Infectious Diseases (Operational Research, Surveillance and Resilience) Working Group; Senior Operational Epidemiologist

jane.greig@burnet.edu.au

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Stephanie Levy

Global Health Emergencies Specialist & Pacific Projects Manager

stephanie.levy@burnet.edu.au

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Oceane Lorphelin

International Project Officer

oceane.lorphelin@burnet.edu.au

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