Gut Infections (tummy bugs) are a major cause of illness. They are one of the most common infectious causes of ill health and death. They impact most severely those with risks to continued health including existing disease or disability, poverty, and those who are very young or very old.

The University of East Anglia, its associated Quadram Institute of Biosciences, and Newcastle University will partner with UKHSA to protect all people in the UK from gut infections. We will build strong links with other partners especially the Food Standards Agency. Strong, accessible, and effective Patient and Public Involvement, Engagement and Participation will influence all stages of our research, information sharing and communication. Developing future leaders in health protection is a major aim and we will do this by supporting students and early career researchers through their training and by providing a research culture of equality, diversity, and inclusion.

We propose five main themes each of which is designed to answer key research questions:

1. Improving laboratory diagnosis of the causes of tummy bugs.

a. How important is it to find the viruses and bacteria (bugs) that cause gut problems in new ways, particularly bugs that previously would not have been looked for? 

2. Improving our ability to spot the number of people with infections (outbreaks) to reduce risk of further spread, e.g., by using information from vets, food safety, sewage, and internet search histories.

a. By using technology to review all information sources, can we identify areas of infection earlier enough to prevent further outbreaks?

b. Can we use information better to understand how infections are spreading? 

3. What works (and what doesn’t) to reduce risk of illness e.g., guidelines or other actions? 

a. Do current recommendations prevent the spread of tummy bugs e.g., in nurseries or care homes?

b. What can we learn from past outbreaks that will help us prevent future ones?

The two following areas of work will connect with all the other themes in the Health Protection Research Unit: 

4. Preparing for a possible pandemic. By learning how to spot new pandemic threats sooner, diagnose gut infections earlier, identify bugs better and monitor their spread, what we can do to stop or reduce the spread of tummy bugs?

a. How can we detect new threats sooner and be better prepared?

b. What can we learn about new pandemic threats that reduces risks to health?

5. Using methods to improve diagnosis, monitoring and pandemic preparedness.

a. How can we link information to identify outbreaks earlier?

b. How can we use laboratory methods better to identify sources of infection?

Binding these themes into a responsive management structure will enable us to

● Prepare for future health security hazards.

● Respond to health security threats to save lives.

● Build the UK’s health security capacity.

In collaboration with University of East Anglia, University of Newcastle and the Quadram Institute.