ABOUT THE

ZIKA TASK FORCE

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CHAIR: SCOTT WEAVER, MS, PHD

Galveston National Laboratory
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA

Zika FAQ
Task Force Biographies

TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) – GLOBAL VIRUS NETWORK ZIKA TASK FORCE

  • The Zika Task Force is composed of members of any of the GVN Centers of Excellence, its affiliates and top global experts who have relevant research and development expertise that could be harnessed to respond to the current Zika epidemic.
  • One member will serve as Chairperson. Membership in the Task Force is voluntary.
  • The Zika task force is the main responsible for advising the GVN, including its Centers of Excellence, in all aspects related to the GVN response to the Zika epidemic.
  • With support from the GVN secretariat, the Task Force will communicate with all CoE to identify opportunities for collaboration.
  • With support from the Secretariat, the Task Force will establish strategic alliances with other relevant organizations involved in the response to the Zika epidemic.
  • The Task Force will convene conference calls and, if appropriate, meetings to discuss practical GVN actions in response to the epidemic.
  • With support from the GVN Secretariat, the The Task Force will serve as GVN spokespersons, and will communicate with the media as such.
  • As possible and appropriate, members of the Task Force should be available to advise, on behalf of the GVN, countries on activities related to the response to the epidemic.
  • While serving in the GVN Task Force, members are encouraged to act on behalf of the GVN in addition to their own professional affiliation.
  • Membership of the Task Force is for one year, extendable if appropriate.

GVN ZIKA SERUM BANK

The Global Virus Network is an independent, non-profit organization that was founded in 2011 in Washington, D.C. Today, the GVN is comprised of 38 Centers and 6 Affiliates in 24 nations. The GVN vision is: “A world prepared to prevent, contain and control viral epidemic threats, through the collaboration of a global network of expert virus laboratories.” That vision is approached by: (1) Establishing a global network of expert virology laboratories; (2) Promoting the development of new tools, including diagnostics, antiviral drugs and vaccines; (3) Training the next generation of virologists; and, (4) Advocating for a more comprehensive and inclusive response to viral threats worldwide.

To assist with the development of diagnostics and vaccines and to better understand the humoral immune response to Zika virus infection, the GVN, thanks to a generous gift from Allergan, has established a patient serum bank. The donated sera or plasma, provided without patient identification, will be distributed to interested scientists through the World Reference Center for Emerging Viruses and Arboviruses (WRCEVA) at UTMB. The GVN Zika Serum Bank has both acute, PCR-positive and convalescent, antibody-positive sera.

If you wish to request samples, please fill in the request form. Requests will be reviewed to determine the best use of these limited Zika-positive human serum/plasma samples.

Resources

MEDIA ON GVN ZIKA TASK FORCE

TASK FORCE MEMBERS