Incidences, Causes, and Outcomes of Febrile Illness in Rural South and Southeast Asia

Determining the Incidence, Causes and Outcomes of Rural Febrile Illness (RFI) in South and Southeast Asia, as Part of the South and Southeast Asian Community-based Trials Network (SEACTN). Work Package A (WP-A).

The study will collect information to understand the causes and outcomes of febrile illness in rural areas in countries across South and Southeast Asia ( including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Bangladesh). The findings will be used to identify new tests and treatments that can improve the management of febrile patients in the future.

This study is funded by the UK Wellcome Trust. The grant reference number is 215604/Z/19/Z

This study aims to better understand and quantify the burden of febrile illness, the aetiological causes and the manner in which it affects the people living in rural areas in South and Southeast Asia, all on a scale which has not been attempted before. The SEACTN RFI project will collect information to help better understand and predict these outcomes based on a multitude of factors, which will form the basis for interventions within the network in the future. Determining the incidence, causes and outcomes of febrile illness in these settings will be done through two work packages. The first of these, Work Package A (WP-A), the subject of this study, will be carried out at the community level, primarily by engaging village health worker (VHWs) and low-level Health Centres (HCs) which serve the communities to recruit patients presenting with a febrile illness. These patients will be assessed for presenting symptoms and followed up for clinical outcomes. Collection of specimen for diagnostic investigations in these settings is challenging. Currently, mRDTs are conducted by VHWs and HCs in these networks, therefore by using the same process, but also applying blood to filter paper and allowing it to dry (DBS), investigators will test for certain other pathogens, which will increase the aetiological yield.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Documented fever (≥ 37.5°C axillary), hypothermia (< 35.5°C) and/or history of fever in the last 24 hours.
• Willingness and ability to comply with study protocol for the study duration.
• Written informed consent given to participate in the trial.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Currently enrolled in the study
• Accident or trauma is the cause for presentation
• Presentation ≤ 3 days after routine immunisations