Alexandre Blake, MD, MSc

Profile

Medical public health specialist with expertise in field epidemiology.

Twelve years of work history in research institutes, governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Work history

Since July 2024: Postdoctoral Researcher, Human Infectious Disease Lab Center - Penn State University - State College, United States of America

  • Inferring seasonal population mobility in the South of the Democratic Republic of Congo using accessibility and spatial analysis.

  • Estimating disease transmission in the South of the Democratic Republic of Congo, more specifically on cholera and measles.

Since June 2020: Medical Public Health Specialist, Sigia - Porto, Portugal

For the World Health Organization (Headquarters, Regional Office for Africa, Regional Office for Europe, Country Office Kyrgyzstan):

  • 2023 - Update and digitalization of an assessment tool to strengthen in-country Early Warning and Response, including in an emergency context.
  • 2021 - Development of two R-Shiny monitoring dashboards for the COVID-19 WHO Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan
  • 2021 - Review of WHO involvement in Ebola Virus Disease outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
  • 2021 - Support implementation of a public health emergency operations centre and development of its integrated epidemiological platform.
  • 2020 - Development of a COVID-19 monitoring dashboard and situation analysis of health information systems in Kyrgyzstan.
  • 2020 - Development of an interactive visualization dashboard to collate and display data collected by the WHO Strategic Tool for Assessing Risk.

For the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control through Epiconcept:

  • 2022 - Development of R Shiny applications for modelling vector surveillance and control.

08/2018 - 06/2024: PhD Candidate, Biology department Penn State University - State College, United States of America

  • PhD thesis on the impact of population movements on the dynamics of infectious diseases.

  • Wavelet analysis of measles surveillance data from 1995 to 2004 in Niger and investigation of the influence of rainfall due to seasonal movements associated with the agricultural cycle.

  • Modelling the early phase of the cholera epidemic in Haiti in 2010, and the impact of the earthquake and panic movements at the beginning of the epidemic on the transmission of the disease.

09/2015 - 07/2018: Epidemiologist, Epicentre - Paris, France

  • Supported data collection of the vaccine effectiveness study during the Ebola outbreak in the Equator Province done by Médecins Sans Frontières.

  • Initiated and supported the strengthening of cholera surveillance in the three communes of Chardonnières, Côteaux, and Port-à-Piment, in the South Department, Haiti.

  • Led the vaccine coverage surveys after the 2nd vaccination campaign against cholera in the three communes of Chardonnière, Côteaux, and Port-à-Piment, in the South Department, Haiti, in June 2017.

  • Assessed a predictive score to predict the occurrence of a measles outbreak in DRC and monitored the 2016-2017 measles outbreak in DRC to support the interventions from the French, Swiss, and Belgian sections of Médecins Sans Frontières.

  • Supported a cohort study on vaccine effectiveness during the vaccination campaign against cholera using the Sahnchol during the cholera outbreak in Lusaka, Zambia, in 2016.

  • Supported the MSF response to the 2015 measles outbreak in Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by providing automated surveillance reports to the sections present on the field and to the local partners. Principal investigator on measles seroprevalence surveys in four health zones in Katanga,DRC.

  • Co-principal investigator on the extension of the study of the oral cholera vaccine effectiveness study in Kalémie, DRC.

11/2014 - 08/2015: Epidemiologist, Agence de Médecine Préventive - Paris, France

  • Worked in the Africhol network to finalize and update the analysis on the 2012 cholera outbreak in Conakry, Guinea, to provide a spatiotemporal description at district and municipal levels and guide prevention in high-risk zones. I helped the Guinean Prevention and Infectious Diseases Department (DPLM) to resume and adapt their cholera surveillance network to the Ebola crisis. I also support the Ugandan national team with planned monitoring visits to improve the quality of their data collection and analyse surveillance data of Kasese and Mbale districts from 2011 to 2013.

  • In parallel I worked in the PneumoTone team to finalize and update the analysis of thequality of LytA PCR as an etiologic diagnostic tool in pneumonia with data of 2012 and 2013.

11/2009 - 10/2014: Medical Public Health Resident

UMR 196 - Program for HIV Prevention and Treatment - Chiang Mai, Thailand

  • Supported the clinical research assistant (CRA) team in the follow-up of included women in the PapilloV cohort study by regularly assessing the situation in each of the 24 recruiting sites across all Thailand and for each CRA in collaboration with data managers and CRA referent. I edited quarterly reports for the sponsors on the ongoing follow-up, the potential delays, and solutions put in place.

  • I also analysed endothelial dysfunction in HIV infected patients within an ancillary study on flow mediated dilation and inflammatory markers.

Institut Pasteur - Paris, France

  • Co-investigator in a matched case control study on the association between the Zika infection and the occurrence of Guillain-Barre Syndrome in French Polynesia following the 2014 outbreak. I participated to: the protocol editing, the submission to the ethics committee, the selection of cases and controls, the data collection with the management of teams of interviewers, the data entry.

  • Participated in a systematic literature review with meta-analysis on HCV prevalence in Africa.

Agence de Médecine Préventive - Paris, France

  • Analysed and started describing Africhol and Guinean Health Ministry data of the 2012 cholera outbreak in Conakry, Guinea. It involved heavy data management of spatial information in order to realize a descriptive analysis of the spatiotemporal epidemic dynamics at municipal and district level and a research of spatiotemporal clustering by SaTScan in addition to the description of the cases.

French National Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS) - Paris, France

  • Participated to the French MERS-CoV crisis management by:

    • Getting involved in the 10 days follow-up survey around the contacts of the second French confirmed MERS-CoV case with daily verbal phone assessment.
    • Participating at the on-call duty in the national reporting system of suspected cases, involving the coordination between hospitals and National Reference Centers for the biological confirmation and daily reports to the French Ministry of Health.

  • Analysed a French national cross-sectional survey on community-acquired urinary tract infections in women and bacterial antibiotic resistance, and contributed in the editing of the associated report to the French Ministry of Health. It led to an oral presentation at the French RICAI congress.

  • Assessed the French metropolitan public health surveillance system for Chikungunya and Dengue.

Agence de Médecine Préventive - Paris, France

  • Assessed the diagnostic quality of whole blood lytA PCR to diagnose pneumococcal aetiology based on data of a cross-sectional survey on hospitalized patients for pneumoniae in Dapaong, Togo, in 2011 using latent class analysis. It led to poster presentations at the IMMEM and ISPPD congresses.

  • Contributed to the ProVac IWG project in Azerbaijan by providing support to the local multidisciplinary team in the use of a medico-economic model which supported the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine, updating the tutorial for the use of the static model, answering methodological questions, and providing assistance during the two formation sessions in Baku.

French Institute of Health and Medical Research (InSERM) - U1018 - Paris, France

  • Analysed the association between circumcision and sexually transmitted infections based on data of a 2010 population based cross-sectional survey in Orange Farm (South Africa).

  • Contributed to the finalization of a questionnaire on circumcision and HIV in South Africa for the 2011 cross sectional survey and to a data quality check of the ongoing data entry in June 2011.

Epicentre - Paris, France

  • Participated to the editing of the protocol of a vaccination coverage survey of the MenAfriVac in Niger.

  • Involved as co-investigator in a matched case control study on risk factors and dominant transmission routes of cholera in Gonaives, Haiti, from March to May 2011.

Health, Environment, and Ageing Laboratory in Sainte-Perine Hospital - Paris, France

  • Investigated the positive and negative impact on well-being of the status of informal caregivers based on a cross-sectional survey.

Clinical research unit in La Pitié Salpètriere Hospital - Paris, France

  • Analysed data on cardiac transplantation data to identify risk factors of transplant rejection; and biological tests to identify cheaper alternatives with similar sensitivity.

Education

  • PhD in Biology from Penn State University (2023). Thesis on the impact of population movements on the dynamics of infectious diseases.

  • Medical degree with public health specialization from the University of Paris XI (2014). Medical thesis on additional analyses of the spatial analysis of cholera in Gonaives and Carrefour, Haiti.

  • MSc of Epidemiology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Thesis on the spatial analysis of cholera in Gonaives and Carrefour, Haiti.

Languages

  • French: mother tongue. English: proficient.

Computer skills

  • R statistical software, epidata: proficient.

Other activities

Reservist for the French Organization for preparation and response to sanitary emergencies (EPRUS)

Scientific publications

Ferreras E, Matapo B, Chizema-Kawesha E, Chewe O, Mzyece H, Blake A, Moonde L, Zulu G, Poncin M, Sinyange N, Kasese-Chanda N, Phiri C, Malama K, Mukonka V, Cohuet S, Uzzeni F, Ciglenecki I, Danovaro-Holliday MC, Luquero FJ, Pezzoli L. Delayed second dose of oral cholera vaccine administered before high-risk period for cholera transmission: Cholera control strategy in Lusaka, 2016. PLoS One. 2019 Aug 30;14(8):e0219040. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0219040. eCollection 2019. PubMed PMID: 31469853; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6716633.

Keating P, Carrion Martin AI, Blake A, Lechevalier P, Uzzeni F, Gignoux E, Okonta C, Langendorf C, Smit S, Ahuka S, Suchard M, Pukuta E, Degail MA, Hansen L, Kibanza- Kyungu J, Ciglenecki I, Cohuet S. Measles seroprevalence after reactive vaccination campaigns during the 2015 measles outbreak in four health zones of the former Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. BMC Public Health. 2019 Aug 22;19(1):1153. doi: 10.1186/s12889-019-7500-z. PubMed PMID: 31438898; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6704676.

Mwaba J, Ferreras E, Chizema-Kawesa E, Mwimbe D, Tafirenyika F, Rauzier J, Blake A, Rakesh A, Poncin M, Stoitsova S, Kwenda G, Azman AS, Chewe O, Serafini M, Lukwesa- Musyani C, Cohuet S, Quilici ML, Luquero FJ, Page AL. Evaluation of the SD bioline cholera rapid diagnostic test during the 2016 cholera outbreak in Lusaka, Zambia. Trop Med Int Health. 2018 Aug;23(8):834-840. doi: 10.1111/tmi.13084. Epub 2018 Jun 29. PubMed PMID: 29851181.

Massing LA, Aboubakar S, Blake A, Page AL, Cohuet S, Ngandwe A, Mukomena Sompwe E, Ramazani R, Allheimen M, Levaillant P, Lechevalier P, Kashimi M, de la Motte A, Calmejane A, Bouhenia M, Dabire E, Bompangue D, Kebela B, Porten K, Luquero F. Highly targeted cholera vaccination campaigns in urban setting are feasible: The experience in Kalemie, Democratic Republic of Congo. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2018 May 7;12(5):e0006369. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0006369. eCollection 2018 May. PubMed PMID: 29734337; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5957443.

Blake A, Keita VS, Sauvageot D, Saliou M, Njanpop BM, Sory F, Sudre B, Lamine K, Mengel M, Gessner BD, Sakoba K. Temporo-spatial dynamics and behavioural patterns of 2012 cholera epidemic in the African mega-city of Conakry, Guinea. Infect Dis Poverty. 2018 Feb 15;7(1):13. doi: 10.1186/s40249-018-0393-8. PubMed PMID: 29448965; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5815196.

Ferreras E, Chizema-Kawesha E, Blake A, Chewe O, Mwaba J, Zulu G, Poncin M, Rakesh A, Page AL, Stoitsova S, Voute C, Uzzeni F, Robert H, Serafini M, Matapo B, Eiros JM, Quilici ML, Pezzoli L, Azman AS, Cohuet S, Ciglenecki I, Malama K, Luquero FJ. Single- Dose Cholera Vaccine in Response to an Outbreak in Zambia. N Engl J Med. 2018 Feb 8;378(6):577-579. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc1711583. PubMed PMID: 29414267.

Munier A, Njanpop-Lafourcade BM, Sauvageot D, Mhlanga RB, Heyerdahl L, Nadri J, Wood R, Ouedraogo I, Blake A, Akilimali Mukelenge L, Anné JB, Banla Kere A, Dempouo L, Keita S, Langa JPM, Makumbi I, Mwakapeje ER, Njeru IJ, Ojo OE, Phiri I, Pezzoli L, Gessner BD, Mengel M. The African cholera surveillance network (Africhol) consortiummeeting, 10-11 June 2015, Lomé, Togo. BMC Proc. 2017 Jan 31;11(Suppl 1):2. doi: 10.1186/s12919-016-0068-z. eCollection 2017. PubMed PMID: 28813542; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5301166.

Delory T, Ngo-Giang-Huong N, Rangdaeng S, Chotivanich N, Limtrakul A, Putiyanun C, Suriyachai P, Matanasarawut W, Jarupanich T, Liampongsabuddhi P, Heard I, Jourdain G, Lallemant M, Le Coeur S; PapilloV study group. Human Papillomavirus infection and cervical lesions in HIV infected women on antiretroviral treatment in Thailand. J Infect. 2017 May;74(5):501-511. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2017.02.007. Epub 2017 Feb 28. PubMed PMID: 28254419.

Rossignol L, Vaux S, Maugat S, Blake A, Barlier R, Heym B, Le Strat Y, Blanchon T, Hanslik T, Coignard B. Incidence of urinary tract infections and antibiotic resistance in the outpatient setting: a cross-sectional study. Infection. 2017 Feb;45(1):33-40. doi: 10.1007/s15010-016-0910-2. Epub 2016 May 27. PubMed PMID: 27234045.

Blake A, Njanpop-Lafourcade BM, Telles JN, Rajoharison A, Makawa MS, Agbenoko K, Tamekloe S, Mueller JE, Tall H, Gessner BD, Paranhos-Baccalà G, Moïsi JC. Evaluation of chest radiography, lytA real-time PCR, and other routine tests for diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia and estimation of possible attributable fraction of pneumococcus in northern Togo. Epidemiol Infect. 2017 Feb;145(3):583-594. doi: 10.1017/S0950268816002211. Epub 2016 Nov 17. PubMed PMID: 27852346; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5244441.

Riou J, Ait Ahmed M, Blake A, Vozlinsky S, Brichler S, Eholie S, Boelle PY, Fontanet A; HCV epidemiology in Africa group. Hepatitis C virus seroprevalence in adults in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Viral Hepat. 2016 Apr;23(4):244-55. doi: 10.1111/jvh.12481. Epub 2015 Oct 19. PubMed PMID: 26477881.

Cao-Lormeau VM, Blake A, Mons S, Lastère S, Roche C, Vanhomwegen J, Dub T, Baudouin L, Teissier A, Larre P, Vial AL, Decam C, Choumet V, Halstead SK, Willison HJ, Musset L, Manuguerra JC, Despres P, Fournier E, Mallet HP, Musso D, Fontanet A, Neil J, Ghawché F. Guillain-Barré Syndrome outbreak associated with Zika virus infection in French Polynesia: a case-control study. Lancet. 2016 Apr 9;387(10027):1531-1539. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(16)00562-6. Epub 2016 Mar 2. PubMed PMID: 26948433; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5444521.

Rossignol L, Maugat S, Blake A, Vaux S, Heym B, Le Strat Y, Kernéis S, Blanchon T, Coignard B, Hanslik T. Risk factors for resistance in urinary tract infections in women in general practice: A cross-sectional survey. J Infect. 2015 Sep;71(3):302-11. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2015.05.012. Epub 2015 Jun 6. PubMed PMID: 26054878.

Grandesso F, Allan M, Jean-Simon PS, Boncy J, Blake A, Pierre R, Alberti KP, Munger A, Elder G, Olson D, Porten K, Luquero FJ. Risk factors for cholera transmission in Haiti during inter-peak periods: insights to improve current control strategies from two case-control studies. Epidemiol Infect. 2014 Aug;142(8):1625-35. doi10.1017/S0950268813002562. Epub 2013 Oct 11. PubMed PMID: 24112364.

Oral communications

Blake A, Njanpop-Lafourcade BM, Telles JN, Rojaharison A, Makawa MS, Agbenoko K, Tamekloe S, Mueller JE, Tall H, Gessner B, Paranhos-Baccala G, Moisi JC. Diagnostic value of the chest radiography and laboratory testing and attributable pneumococcal etiology in community acquired pneumonia in Tone district, Togo. Poster session presented at ISPPD9 2014. 9 th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases; 2014 Mar 9-13; Hyderabad, India. (Poster)

Blake A, Telles JN, Njanpop-Lafourcade BM, Makawa MS, Agbenoko K, Tamekloe S, Tall H, Gessner B,Paranhos-Baccala G, Moisi JC. Diagnostic value of real-time lytA PCR on whole blood for detecting pneumococcal pneumonia in Tone district, Togo. Poster session presented at: IMMEM-10 2013. 10 th International Meeting on Microbial Epidemiological Markers; 2013 Oct 2-3; Paris, France. (Poster)

Blake A, Rossignol L, Maugat S, Vaux S, Heym B, Le Strat Y, Blanchon T, Hanslik T, Coignard B. DRUTI (Drug Resistance in community Urinary Tract Infections) - Resistance aux antibiotiques des infections urinaires communautaires, France, 2012. Paper presented at: RICAI 2013. Proceedings of the 34th Reunion Interdisciplinaire de Chimiotherapie Anti-Infectieuse; 2013 Nov 21-22; Paris, France. French.(Oral)

Blake A, Buyck JF, Ankri J. Factors associated with positive impact of informal caregiving on physical and psychological well-being: evidence for gender differences. Paper presented at: VII IAGG 2011. Proceedings of the 7th International Association ofGerontology and Geriatrics; 2011 Apr 14-17; Bologna, Italy. (Oral)