Consequences of Zika virus infections during pregnancy:  Integrating research, care and community

20 March 2024, Auditório É do Povo, Cais do Sertão, Recife, PE, Brazil

While eight years have passed since the emergence of the microcephaly epidemic in the northeast of Brazil, affected families continue to confront significant health and social challenges resulting from Zika virus infections during pregnancy.  During this international scientific meeting, representatives from research, assistance policies, and the community (families of children with Congenital Zika Syndrome) will come together to share insights regarding the health and learning needs of children with Zika virus-related disabilities and to reflect on the experiences and perspectives of their families.  The meeting will also serve to launch the LIFE Zika (Long-term Impacts for Families affected by the Epidemic of Zika) Study, a 7-year project funded by the Wellcome Trust and a partnership between universities and research institutions in Brazil and the United Kingdom.

Launch of the LIFE Zika Study

This session will serve to launch the LIFE Zika (Long-term Impacts for Families affected by the Epidemic of Zika) Study. 

Chair: Celina Turchi (IAM/FIOCRUZ)

Welcome & launch of the LIFE Zika Study: Elizabeth Brickley (LSHTM) & Ricardo Ximenes (UPE & UFPE)

Invited remarks: Carlos Melo (Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde), Ethel Maciel (Ministério da Saúde), Paula Lyra (Secretaria Estadual de Saúde de Pernambuco), Maria do Socorro de Mendonça Cavalcanti (UPE), Tereza Lyra (FIOCRUZ), Laura Rodrigues (LSHTM), Glória Teixeira (CIDACS/FIOCRUZ e UFBA), Sinval Brandão Filho (Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical), Sophie Hawkesworthe (Wellcome Trust)

The scientific response to the Zika Public Health Emergency

This session will include presentations on what we have learned about the consequences of Zika virus infection during pregnancy and highlight research priorities for the future. Speakers will include representatives from research, policy, and the community. 

Chair: Elisabeth Moreira (IFF/FIOCRUZ)

Speakers: Demócrito Miranda (UPE), Luciana Albuquerque (Secretaria de Saúde do Recife), Sandra Valongueiro (UFPE), Ana Carolina Freitas (Participating Mother), Rosiclaudia Aragão (Participating Mother), Glória Teixeira (CIDACS/FIOCRUZ e UFBA), Bethânia Almeida (CIDACS/FIOCRUZ)

Insights from clinical cohort and social science studies

This session will allow researchers from the Zika Brazilian Cohorts Consortium and early career researchers from the Microcephaly Epidemic Research Group to share insights from social sciences research and the clinical follow-up of children with prenatal Zika virus exposure.

Chair: Ricardo Ximenes (UPE & UFPE)

Speakers: Flor Espinosa (FIOCRUZ-AM & Findação de Medicina Tropical), Aline Lopes (UFS), Cristina Hofer (UFRJ), Darci Neves (UFBA), Consuelo Oliveira (Instituto Evandro Chagas), Isadora Siqueira (FIOCRUZ-BA), Elisabeth Moreira (IFF-FIOCRUZ-RJ), Lavinia Schuler (UFRGS), Marília Turchi (UFG), Marizélia Ribeiro (UFMA), Marisa Mussi (USP-RB), Saulo Passos (FMJ), Bernadete Perez (UFPE)

Chair: Mariana Pitta Lima (CIDACS/FIOCRUZ)

Speakers: Ana Paula Melo (UFPE/CAV), Joelson Souza (UFPE), Romulo Vasconcelos (UPE), Durce Carvalho (UPE), Paula Sobral (UPE), Andreia Veras (UPE & UFPE), Regina Ramos (UPE & UFPE)

Generating scientific evidence for advocacy

This round table session will reflect on how to strengthen the relationship between groups advocating for the rights of families affected by Zika virus and scientific researchers. 

Chair: Sandra Valongueiro (UFPE)

Facilitator: Parry Scott (UFPE)

Panelists: Germana Soares (União de Mães de Anjos) & Luciana Arraes (UniZika)

This meeting is held with support from Wellcome Trust (224494/Z/21/Z), FACEPE (ARC-0486-4.01/23), and Empetur.