Strong One Health: humans, animals, and the environment



Strong One Health is a project of a European partnership which the DWHC is a part of. One Health is based on the principle that the health of humans, animals, and the environment is closely linked, and collaboration between experts in various fields is essential. The partnership investigates zoonoses, pathogens transmissible from animals to humans, such as bird flu, West Nile fever, swine flu, and potential emerging diseases. In this project data between different fields, veterinary and human,  is shared to closely monitor the presence of pathogens and quickly contain any potential spread. Our Dutch partners are the WBVR, Royal GD, EMC, NVWA, and RIVM.

The Strong One Health project consists of different sub studies, for example the study on bird flu and scavengers (see figure). Mammals can get infected with bird fly by eating infected prey. This creates the possibility that the virus could adapt and become more contagious or pathogenic for humans and other mammals. Read more information on the website of the RIVM.

Figure: Design of the study into the spread of bird flu and other pathogens

Another activity of the project is the research into West Nile virus (WNV) in wild birds, conducted by Erasmus MC in collaboration with the DWHC. WNV is transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause serious symptoms (including encephalitis) in horses and humans. So far, 2,267 samples have been tested, and all tested negative for WNV. The research will be repeated this year.

Click here to read the first newsletter of the Strong One Health-project on the different sub studies (Dutch).