Post-Viral Research Aotearoa was founded in 2022 by a group of researchers and patients who understand the urgency and importance of expediting quality research into post-viral conditions such as Long Covid and myalgic encephalomyelitis / chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

It has taken a pandemic-scale virus for many to finally take a largely neglected area of research and medicine seriously, but much is still not understood about how viruses affect our health. With the pandemic raging on and new variants constantly emerging, the risk of people developing Long Covid after subsequent infections persists. We strive to shed light on these poorly understood diseases and work towards diagnosis, treatment and cures.

Our principal investigator Dr. Anna Brooks has quickly become the nation’s leading voice on this subject, having given almost one hundred interviews in the media, particularly around COVID safety and the dangers of Long Covid.

Despite the widespread attention and the enormous economic and human cost, research and funding lags drastically behind what is necessary to advance scientific understanding and find solutions. We aim to change this.

Already research is beginning to reveal the similarities between the symptoms following COVID-19 illness and myalgic encephalomyelitis /chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). However, efforts to understand its mechanisms are only just beginning, and funding, specifically for biomedical research, has been difficult to obtain. There has been no government funding for research put toward biomedical research in Long Covid.

The purpose of our research is to better understand the immune cell function and misfired immune response which can occur following viral infection.

Dr Brooks has launched a study, with others lined up, and has established a suite of specialised immune cell and blood protein tests to investigate immunity and immune dysfunction. These studies aim to identify specific biomarkers within post-viral illnesses that can then lead to treatments and cures.

A key principle of our approach has been to partner with people with lived-experience of post-viral illnesses, with the aim to build reciprocal relationships and better understand the priorities of those impacted, including ensuring equitable representation and engagement with Māori and Pasifika participants.

We are aiming to secure funding and push forward biomedical research in these areas.