Establishment of a surveillance system on selected (re)emergent and at risk of introduction zoonoses based on a ecologic approach.

The EcoSurv project proposes integrated, comprehensive and holistic surveillance activities on selected (re)emergent and at-risk of introduction zoonoses. It takes into account the whole spectrum of animal species in a given ecosystem (zoocenosis) having a possible role in the maintenance, persistence and/or transmission to humans of these diseases, proposing innovative surveillance and diagnostic approaches, targeting the disease hosts, the vectors and the environment. The proposed surveillance actions are conceived to produce the relevant and necessary information for the identification of proper early warning indicators and data for the risk assessment of the introduction or (re)emergence of selected zoonotic agents in Italy. Although the activities proposed in the EcoSurv project are carried out in specific areas of Italy, with the sole exception of RVF sampling in Libya and in Mauritania (the latter only for the entomological surveillance), the results achieved and the data produced by the EcoSurv project will be particularly useful for large part of the EU countries of the Mediterranean basin. The outcomes of the proposed surveillance activities will strengthen the overall capacity of Italy, and of southern borders of the EU, in early detecting the possible introduction and spread of some relevant vector-borne zoonoses, and the emergence of other zoonotic agents. In addition, the innovative approach of EcoSurv project, translating into practice the One Health paradigm, with an holistic view, embracing the not only the human and animal health, but also the health of environment and its ecosystems, may represent the base for further and more closely coordinated activities between health authorities and those dealing with environment protection.