Development of an Integrated Surveillance and Alert System of Zoonosis in Portugal

This project aims to develop an Information System to support the One Health approach regarding zoonosis surveillance, response and communication to stakeholders and the public. It targets the surveillance in domestic and wild animals and in the environment, including vectors, of endemic and exotic notifiable zoonotic diseases, such as West Nile Fever, Rift Valley Fever, Crimean-Congo Fever, Tick-borne Encephalitis, Q Fever and Hepatitis E virus. Through this project, a new platform will be developed allowing the interoperability of existing information and alert systems in human health and animal health, vectors and the environment, collecting and managing data on diseases and pathogens. This will allow, along with the use of several sample matrixes and the implementation of innovative laboratory techniques as WGS, the investigation of epidemiological pathways and a better risk assessment of the possible spread of zoonotic agents between reservoirs. This platform will also be used to share information on alerts and guidance with One Health to professionals and to the general public, through a microsite (also to be developed under the project), and to promote citizen awareness and encouraging responsible and positive behaviour toward health and zoonosis prevention.