Background:

The ARIA-RISE project is a collaboration between the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, Menzies School of Health Research and Timor-Leste Ministry of Health (MoH).  It aims to provide information about the epidemiology of COVID-19 and other vaccine-preventable diseases by conducting serological surveillance in Timor-Leste.

The project will include three separate research studies, evaluating seroprevalence for SARS-CoV-2 and other vaccine preventable diseases in:

  • Healthcare workers
  • Residual blood samples from six municipalities in Timor-Leste
  • Community members in a population-representative national serosurvey
Aims and objectives:
  • Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection assessed over time to inform public health policy to control and mitigate COVID-19 disease and inform potential COVID-19 immunisation strategies in Timor-Leste.
  • Technical capacity to undertake serology at the Timor-Leste National Health Laboratory for SARS-CoV-2 and select vaccine preventable diseases is increased.
  • The prevalence of immunity to select vaccine preventable diseases, including measles, rubella and hepatitis B, assessed to inform immunisation program policy and implementation
Chief investigators:
Project manager:

Project dates:

The project commenced in January 2021 and is due for completion in June 2022.

Funders:
  • Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Collaborators: 
  • ARIA: Australian Regional Immunisation Alliance
  • Timor-Leste Ministry of Health (MoH)
  • National Institute of Health (INS)
  • National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS)
  • University of Sydney
  • Integrated Crisis Management Centre (CIGC)
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  1. MEDIA RELEASE | Menzies renews MoU with Timor-Leste Ministry of Health

    MEDIA RELEASE | Menzies renews MoU with Timor-Leste Ministry of Health

    Date

    An important partnership in the work to improve public health in Timor-Leste has been strengthened with Menzies and the Timor-Leste Ministry of Health signing a new Memorandum of Understanding .

  2. Komunikadu Imprensa | Menzies renova MoU ho Ministeriu Saúde Timor-Leste

    Komunikadu Imprensa | Menzies renova MoU ho Ministeriu Saúde Timor-Leste

    Date

    Fortalese ona parseria importante ida iha servisu nian hodi hadi'a saúde públiku iha Timor-Leste ho Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) no Ministériu Saúde Timor-Leste (MDS) asina ona Memorandu de Entendimentu (MoU) foun ida.

  3. MoH-MoAF-Menzies: “One Health” crucial for achieving optimal health outcomes in TL

    MoH-MoAF-Menzies: “One Health” crucial for achieving optimal health outcomes in TL

    Date

    DILI, 14 december 2021 (TATOLI) – The Ministry of Health (MoH) and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MoAF), together with Menzies – School of Health Research held a one-day symposium, in Timor-Leste

  4. Improving understanding of COVID-19, measles, rubella, hepatitis B and dengue epidemiology in Timor-Leste

    Improving understanding of COVID-19, measles, rubella, hepatitis B and dengue epidemiology in Timor-Leste

    Date

    In Timor-Leste, immunisation is key to protecting people against diseases such as measles, rubella and hepatitis B and is crucial during the COVID-19 pandemic. Vaccination is available through government health services in Timor-Leste, but there is substantial variation in the uptake of different vaccines across different municipalities.

  5. Tatoli | Menzies launch seroprevalance study to describe the extent of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases

    Tatoli | Menzies launch seroprevalance study to describe the extent of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases

    Date

    Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies), revealed Covid-19 Vaccination is a very important strategy in Timor-Leste, for protecting people against diseases Measles, Rubella, Hepatitis B, and Dengue epidemiology in Timor-Leste.

  6. MEDIA RELEASE | Timor-Leste, Tetun version

    MEDIA RELEASE | Timor-Leste, Tetun version

    Date

    Hadi’ak kompriensaun kona ba epidemiolojia husi COVID-19, Sarampo, Rubella, Hepatitis B no Denge iha Timor-Leste

  7. MEDIA RELEASE | Timor-Leste

    MEDIA RELEASE | Timor-Leste

    Date

    Improving understanding of COVID-19, Measles, Rubella, Hepatitis B and Dengue epidemiology in Timor-Leste

  8. CGM SCHUYLAB | CASE STUDY

    CGM SCHUYLAB | CASE STUDY

    Date

    As the newly independent nation of Timor-Leste takes on the challenges of establishing a strong health system for its citizens, Menzies School of Health Research has assisted Timorese scientists and healthcare professionals in expanding their laboratory diagnostic possibilities.

  9. Fortalese Sistema Saúde Iha Timor Leste

    Fortalese Sistema Saúde Iha Timor Leste

    Date

    Ohin loron, marka tinan rua dezde Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) ofisialmente estabelese nia eskritóriu ida iha Timor-Leste.

  10. Menzies Affirm To Work Closely With TL Ministry Of Health Strengthening Health Systems

    Menzies Affirm To Work Closely With TL Ministry Of Health Strengthening Health Systems

    Date

    Yesterday marks two years since Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) officially established an office in Timor-Leste and comitted to work with the Timor-Leste Government and partners to strengthen health systems for responding to infectious diseases challenges.

  11. Modern lab software improves healthcare in Timor-Leste

    Modern lab software improves healthcare in Timor-Leste

    Date

    As the newly independent nation of Timor-Leste takes on the challenges of establishing a strong health system for its citizens, Menzies School of Health Research has assisted Timorese scientists and healthcare professionals in expanding their laboratory diagnostic possibilities.

  12. Menzies Marka Tinan Rua Fortalese sistema saúde iha Timor-Leste

    Menzies Marka Tinan Rua Fortalese sistema saúde iha Timor-Leste

    Date

  13. Prezensa Menzies Hodi Fortalese Sistema Saúde iha Timor-Leste

    Prezensa Menzies Hodi Fortalese Sistema Saúde iha Timor-Leste

    Date

    Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies) ohin Segunda (13/9/2021) kompleta nia tinan rua ba estabelese nia eskritóriu iha Timor-Leste ho nia objetivu hodi fortalese Sistema saude iha Timor-Leste.

  14. Menzies mantém cooperação com Governo para fortalecer sistema de saúde timorense

    Menzies mantém cooperação com Governo para fortalecer sistema de saúde timorense

    Date

  15. Strengthening health systems in Timor-Leste

    Strengthening health systems in Timor-Leste

    Date

    Today, marks two years since Menzies officially established an office in Timor-Leste, working with the Timor-Leste Government and partners to strengthen health systems for responding to infectious diseases challenges.

  16. Menzies fortalese sistema saúde iha Timor-Leste

    Menzies fortalese sistema saúde iha Timor-Leste

    Date

  17. Coronavirus assistance to Pacific and Timor-Leste

    Coronavirus assistance to Pacific and Timor-Leste

    Date

    Coronavirus [COVID-19] is now affecting 75 countries, with the total number of cases over 90,000 and the global death toll at more than 3000.

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  2. Francis, J. R., Sarmento, N., Draper, A., Marr, I., Ting, S., Fancourt, N., Alves, L., Champlin, K., Bongers, A., & Yan, J. (2020). Antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic use in Timor-Leste: building surveillance capacity with a One Health approach. Communicable diseases intelligence, 44. https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2020.44.1
  3. Harris, L., Bongers, A., Yan, J., Francis, J,R., Marr, I., Lake, S.,& Martins, S.(2021). Estimates of Antibacterial Consumption in Timor-Leste Using Distribution Data and Variation in Municipality Usage Patterns. 2021, 10, 1468. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10121468.
  4. Ting, S., Pereira, A., Alves, A. d. J., Fernandes, S., Soares, C. d. C., Soares, F. J., . . . Jong, J. B. d. C. (2021). Antimicrobial Use in Animals in Timor-Leste Based on Veterinary Antimicrobial Imports between 2016 and 2019. Antibiotics, 10(4), 426. doi:10.3390/antibiotics10040426.
  5. Ting, S., Pereira, A., Davis, S., Vong da Silva, P. G., Alves, A., Dos Santos, C., . . . Barnes, T. S. (2022). Knowledge and Practices on Antibiotic Use and Antibiotic Resistance Among Smallholder Pig Farmers in Timor-Leste. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8(1585). doi:10.3389/fvets.2021.819643.
  6. Oakley, T., Marr, I.,Townell, N., Heney, C., Jackson, W., Evans, M., Hall, B., Allen, C., Haw, K., & Ferguson, J.(2021). Pacific Regional Infectious Disease Association (PRIDA): capacity-building for microbiology and infectious disease across the Pacific. MICROBIOLOGY AUSTRALIA, 2021, 42, 182–186 https://doi.org/10.1071/MA21051.
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