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Assessing the best way to deploy measles rapid diagnostic tests in Ethiopia

This project aims to deploy and evaluate new rapid diagnostic testing strategies for measles.

Measles is a disease caused by a virus. It spreads when infected people breathe, cough or sneeze. Infection can lead to serious health complications and death. A measles vaccine is available. However, in Ethiopia, drought, conflict and other factors cause lower vaccination rates in children. Measles is endemic in Ethiopia. This means the virus can spread and occur regularly. Our project aims to deploy and evaluate new rapid diagnostic testing in Ethiopia.

In September 2024, there were active measles outbreaks in the Oromia, Amhara, South Ethiopia and Southwest Ethiopia regions, according to the Ethiopian Public Health Institute. It is therefore important to detect and respond to this disease in Ethiopia. 

For this project, researchers will deploy quick tests for measles. These tests are called rapid diagnostic tests (RDT). They detect the antibody immunoglobulin M (IgM), which shows up early in patients with measles.

Understanding the accuracy and operational feasibility of these tests is important. If proven effective, RDTs can be used in Ethiopia to confirm measles cases in real time. These tests can also be used widely, outside of central and regional labs. This would help Ethiopia's health system detect, prevent and mitigate measles outbreaks. RDT testing could also assist with prompt, targeted public health action.

For example, RDTs might be used to identify where vaccines are most urgently needed. This would save lives, especially those of children under 5 years old.

Objective

This study will deploy IgM rapid diagnostic tests to detect measles in Ethiopia. We will evaluate these tests based on accuracy and impact. We will also analyse the cost-effectiveness and feasibility of using these tests.

Our findings will inform how RDT strategies can work in different settings. The project outcomes may also lead to more accurate and timely measles surveillance.

We aim to:

  • develop, implement and evaluate different measles RDT testing strategies in Ethiopia
  • compare our decentralised testing strategies to existing centralised strategies
  • explore how these tests can work with Ethiopia's national public health surveillance systems
  • calculate the cost effectiveness for different RDT testing strategies in Ethiopia
  • determine the risks, barriers and enablers of different measles RDT strategies.

Beyond Ethiopia, the learnings of our project could be applied by other countries with similar challenges.

Approach

Occurring 2024–2025, the project includes 2 phases.

First phase

Researchers review existing research on the topic. We survey stakeholders at national, provincial, district and health centre levels.

Second phase

We deploy and evaluate measles rapid diagnostic tests in Ethiopia. 

Partners

Funding partners

  • Health Poverty Action

Collaborators

  • Partners and collaborators
  • Centre for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne
  • FIND
  • Ethiopian Public Health Institute

Project contacts

Dr Win Han Oo

Dr Win Han Oo

Honorary Senior Research Fellow
winhan.oo@burnet.edu.au
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Project team

Professor Freya J.I. Fowkes

Professor Freya J.I. Fowkes

Deputy Program Director, Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health; Head, Malaria and Infectious Disease Epidemiology
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Dr Win Han Oo

Dr Win Han Oo

Honorary Senior Research Fellow
View profile
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