News
Second round of ERRAZE@WUR activities about to start
The second round of activities of the ERRAZE@WUR programme is launched. This round focusses on integrating models for pandemic crisis management and on developing an Early Warning Toolbox.
An important part of the research in this round is about integrating models that underpin optimal solutions for pandemic crisis management. The focus lies on the development, unlocking and integration of risk assessment tools and models that focus on different aspects of pandemic crisis management, such as the prevention or slowing of the spread, or the economic and social impacts of different measures to accomplish this. Access to integrated or connected models will help underpin decision making or support policy making processes relevant for zoonosis prevention, preparedness and response.
Important element within this theme is the detection and pathogen spread between and within different animal populations both in wildlife and livestock, including the potential species jump to humans. Building on this knowledge the researchers aim to evaluate the effect and broader impact of different strategies for monitoring, early detection and controlling spread of infections.
Early Warning Toolbox for rapid detection and mitigation of emerging zoonotic pathogens
The ERRAZE@WUR programme will also work on building components for an Early Warning Toolbox (EWT) that can be used for early identification of signatures of emerging and potentially pandemic pathogens, and to monitor transmission of viruses around the environment and the agri-food system. The developed tools will help grow our global knowledge and insights about pathogen prevalence and risk characteristics, and will provide a basis for a safer and more robust agri-food system. The optimization of existing components, and the development of new ones requires input from distinct fields of expertise and works towards diverse outcomes and products.
In each of the research themes interdisciplinary teams are involved. ‘Since an appropriate assessment of the issues can only be done by a multi- and transdisciplinary approach, WUR is uniquely positioned to address them’, says Joukje Siebenga, programme manager of ERRAZE@WUR.