Research of the Quantitative Veterinary Epidemiology Group
The research of the group focuses on the development of transmission models for infectious agents in livestock, wild animals, and humans in which knowledge from theoretical biology, veterinary science, animal science, epidemiology, ecology, mathematics and statistics are integrated. Such models are supported with data from laboratory and field studies.
Understanding mechanisms of transmission and infectious disease management in animals are the two main motivations of our work and play a role in each of our research projects.
The methods are developed and used in these projects:
1. Understanding new emerging mosquito-borne viruses. (OneHealthPact)
2. Eradication of endemic infections by vaccination and supporting control measures:
- Bovine Tb,
- Foot- and Mouth disease,
- Avian Influenza.
3. Breeding against endemic infectious diseases in farmed animals.
4. Managing emerging (zoonotic) infections (Influenza, SARS-Cov-2).
Currently, the following PhD projects are running:
- Mathematical modelling of heterogeneity in immune responses to influenza vaccination in poultry (Pan Xue)
- Spatial modelling of Bovine tuberculosis in multi-host disease dynamics in Republic of Ireland (You Chang)
- Modelling environmental transmission and spatial spread of common zoonotic bacteria in poultry (Anna Gamza).
- Quantifying the spatio-temporal heterogeneity in Mycobacterium bovis transmission in a multi-host system (badgers and cattle) in the Republic of Ireland, with and without vaccination of badgers (Ann Barber)
- Integration of quantitative genetic and quantitative epidemiological theory to enhance genetic improvement of animal health (Dries Hulst).
- Evaluating the use of an immune stimulant as a tool to improve the health of dairy cows under grazing conditions (Joaquin Barca)
- Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis E virus in the pork production chain and evaluation of risk factors in North-central Nigeria (Olajide Owolodun)
- Tracking and tackling goat farm-associated pneumonia through metagenomics (Wouter Lokhorst)
- Hepatitis E virus infection, molecular epidemiology and transmission in swine, human, wild boar and the environment. (Renate Hakze-van der Honing)
- Towards a status of foot-and-mouth disease free, without vaccination. Considering risks of reintroduction, emergency preparedness and economic factors to stop vaccination (Victoria Iriarte Barbosa)
- Vaccine Effect of Inactivated H9N2 Vaccine on Transmission in Chickens (Hongrui Cui)
- Developing evidence-based surveillance for emerging rat-borne zoonoses in changing environments (Marieke de Cock)
- Natural Casings: inactivation of porcine viruses. (Tinka Jelsma)
- Mariken de Wit - Arbovirus emergence and spread on a national and international scale: insights from data-driven modelling for detection and control
- Kiki Streng - Arbovirus surveillance in livestock
- Luca Bordes - Ex vivo models to determine genetic virulence factors of avian influenza virus
- Achmad Fadillah -Monitoring and Surveillance of Milk Quality and Animal Diseases in Indonesian Dairy Herds.
- Sahid Agustian Hudjimartsu - Application of precision farming principles to Indonesian agriculture
- Thanicha Chanchaidechachai - An integrated epidemiological and economic analysis of foot and mouth disease (FMD) for evaluating the FMD control strategies in Thailand
Joseph Oundo - Unravelling the epidemiology of tick-borne diseases in livestock and the potential impact of a novel bio-pesticides in coastal Kenya