DefeatDD

Plan-EO, a multidisciplinary project at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, is using big data on diarrheal pathogens to create tools for disease prevention. 💪🦠

Plan-EO's online dashboard brings together huge amounts of data to track and predict where diarrhea-causing pathogens are, so local leaders, health workers, researchers, and project planners can act smarter and faster.

"When they know where the biggest risks are, they can make better decisions about where to run vaccine trials, plan water improvement projects, or prepare for outbreaks after floods," said Nasif Hossein, post-doctoral researcher who works on the project. "It’s incredible how much data is out there. It’s just a case of pulling it together."

More on our blog ➡ https://www.defeatdd.org/blog/plan-eo-big-data-to-tackle-diarrheal-disease/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=September2025&utm_content=PlanEO

How Plan-EO is using big data to tackle diarrheal disease The Plan-EO team's dashboard brings together huge amounts of big data to track and predict where diarrhea-causing pathogens are.

🦠 "Mini guts" grown in the lab might sound like something out of science fiction. But this innovative technology is a breakthrough for researchers investigating ways to treat and prevent .

Norovirus is the leading cause of gastrointestinal illness across the world—and not to mention one of the most unpleasant. But despite this, no preventatives or therapeutics exist for the virus.

Now, mini guts are enabling scientists to understand the body's immune response to norovirus and investigate mechanisms for protective vaccines. Like a library of fingerprints, mini guts also have distinct physiological features that can help researchers understand why certain people are more susceptible to illness than others.

Read more on the blog ➡️

Mini guts, a major breakthrough in norovirus research “Mini guts,” created from a series of biopsies of small intestinal tissue, are helping researchers explore new ways to prevent norovirus.

When it comes to treating diarrhea, oral rehydration solution (ORS) is the gold standard. 🏆

Following ORS, a course of zinc strengthens the immune system and helps speed recovery. Zinc reduces the duration and severity of diarrhea and may help prevent diarrhea episodes for up to three months. 💪

Talk about a dream team—one that can make a big difference for children!

ORS and Zinc - Defeat DD In its simplest presentation, ORS is a mix of water, sugar, and salt. This combination speeds replacement of fluids in the body. It has saved millions of lives and costs just pennies.

When we think about disease, diarrhea isn't often top of mind. But diarrheal disease kills nearly half a million children under 5 around the world every year—especially in areas where safe , , and and access to medical care are lacking.

Get the facts on diarrheal disease and learn how we can make a difference on our website: https://www.defeatdd.org/

Home - Defeat DD Diarrheal disease is the second leading killer disease of children under five around the world. This crisis is especially critical where safe water, sanitation, and access to urgent medical care are limited.

Ten years after introduced vaccines, fewer children are being hospitalized with severe diarrhea—an outcome that is helping strengthen trust in routine immunization.

More from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance here ⤵️

In Kenya, a decade of rotavirus vaccination translates to a drop in childhood mortality Not only are fewer children being hospitalised with severe diarrhoea, but the vaccine’s evident impact is boosting confidence in immunisation generally, experts say.