Associations between human interventions including those impacting wildlife and animal disease spread and means for control
Associations between human interventions (including those impacting wildlife) and animal disease spread and means for control THE PROJECT'S WORK IS SUBJECTED TO REA'S APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENT TO THE EUPAHW GRANT AGREEMENT 101136346
Action 2 - Leading Institute: UCLM
Project summary
This multidisciplinary project will contribute to scientifically predict, early detect, prevent and respond to wildlife disease threats, first by filling gaps in the understanding of human activities and their impacts on the spread of disease in wildlife and at their interfaces, secondly, developing tools for early warning systems, including real time monitoring for the components of an overall system (OH approach) where wildlife is involved, and finally, contributing to capacity building and the transfer of tools and harmonized approaches. More specifically, this project aims to (i) identify the impact of key ecological and human drivers and actors and (ii) learn from epidemiological models and data by analysing past outbreaks, trends, and associations. The project will (iii) assess disease transmission dynamics through experimental data and developing models of disease transmission dynamics in Europe, which will provide a tool to predict the epidemiological impacts of such ecological factors and human interventions in disease spread within or between wildlife and livestock animals. The project will contribute to effectively developing surveillance programs that can detect outbreaks early, allowing for rapid and targeted interventions to mitigate the impact on wildlife health, biodiversity, and potentially prevent wildlife-livestock transmission and zoonotic spillover. Further, (iv) it will analyse integrated surveillance data on pathogen transmission/dynamics (including environmental and population/community parameters) in Europe to develop targeted interventions and tools, and (v) propose how to improve real-time monitoring systems to achieve early warning and rapid actions for control. Finally (vi) capacity building will be promoted and knowledge and tools transferred (training) to researchers and stakeholders at the international level, with a focus on the required interdisciplinarity and involving all stakeholders.
Project objectives
- Identifying key human interventions and relevant actors that may play a role in disease spread between different species of livestock or between wildlife, livestock, and humans is the first essential step in data collection.
- Reviewing epidemiological models, surveillance data (considering OO1-3 and previous SOA6), and case studies of past outbreaks, crossing the species barrier events or spill-over cases to identify trends and associations.
- Assessing disease transmission dynamics through experimental data (either pre-existing or produced here) and modelling studies to predict the epidemiological impacts of human interventions in disease spread within or in between wildlife, livestock animals and humans.
- Analysing integrated surveillance data about pathogen transmission dynamics, geographic spread and mobility, ecosystem health, and emerging diseases with a focus on human activities.
- Proposing real-time monitoring systems of impactful changes to achieve early warning and rapid actions for control.
- Capacity building and training: Provide training initiatives for researchers and stakeholders linked to specific aspects within this project with a focus on the interdisciplinary aspects (human-wildlife).
Outcomes and impacts
A major expected outcome of this project is the development of early warning system tools based on past cases and under OH approach to prevent future spread of infections. In the longer term, this will improve feedback systems between the actors of human-livestock-wildlife interactions and translate to surveillance tools and outcomes from risk assessment into policy or control measures.
The project composes of 6 tasks, each outcome and objective per task is listed below.
- Task 1. Identifying key human interventions and relevant actors.
- Task 2. Reviewing epidemiological models and surveillance data to determine general trends and associations to improve early warning systems.
- Task 3. Assessing disease transmission dynamics as a tool to predict the epidemiological impacts of human interventions in disease spread and to improve early warning systems under the OH approach.
- Task 4. Analysing integrated surveillance data including impact of human interventions in all compartments of wildlife interfaces.
- Task 5. Proposing a toolbox for real-time monitoring systems.
- Task 6. Capacity building and training.
Priority Area 1
Surveillance / monitoring systems and risk assessment for animal health and welfareOperational objective (OO2)
Contribute to adapt risk assessment and alert communication to the new needs in animal health and welfare