Summary:
This project aims to strengthen the detection of emerging and re-emerging zoonotic pathogens in animals and the environment in order to safeguard public health.
Objectives:
The objective of the project is to support the development and expansion of One Health surveillance through an efficient, coordinated, and collaborative approach targeting priority pathogens. The project includes both disease surveillance activities and the development of surveillance capacity.
The majority of emerging infectious diseases that threaten human health are zoonotic. Because animal, human, and environmental health are closely interconnected, a One Health approach that integrates all three sectors is essential for effective preparedness and response to zoonotic diseases.
The project forms part of a larger multinational initiative involving 11 European countries and coordinated by the Statens Serum Institut (SSI) in Denmark.
In Finland, the project focuses on Q fever, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), and an unknown emerging disease referred to as “Disease X”. The bacterium Coxiella burnetii, which causes Q fever, is investigated in aborted fetuses of ruminants (cattle, sheep, and goats) and through antibody testing of bulk tank milk samples. Serum samples are analyzed for antibodies against Q fever and TBE. Samples in which no pathogen can be identified using conventional diagnostic methods (bacterial culture, PCR, and ELISA) are further analyzed using whole-genome sequencing to detect novel pathogens (“Disease X”).
Sub-objectives of the project include:
- Early detection of Q fever and development of a surveillance system for the disease.
- Investigation of the occurrence of TBE antibodies in ruminants and identification of geographical risk areas relevant to human health.
- Detection of emerging zoonotic pathogens (“Disease X”) and promotion of the use of whole-genome sequencing in diagnostics.
- Development of data transfer and reporting processes to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
- Development of a sample collection system for the early detection of zoonotic diseases.
Keywords:
One Health, zoonosis, Q fever, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)
Principal Investigator:
Riikka Holopainen
Animal Health Research Unit
Finnish Food Authority Project Team:
Meeri Ylänen, Animal Health Research Unit, Laboratory and Research Division
Paula Kurittu, Animal Health Research Unit, Laboratory and Research Division
Saara Raulo, Zoonosis Centre
Tarja Pohjanvirta, Animal Health Research Unit, Laboratory and Research Division
Tiina Autio, Animal Health Research Unit, Laboratory and Research Division
Tuija Gadd, Animal Health Research Unit, Laboratory and Research Division
Partner Organization:
Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)
Project Status:
Ongoing
Start Year:
2024
End Year:
2026
Publications:
Kurittu, P., Virtanen, J.-P., Ylänen, M., Autio, T., Pohjanvirta, T., London, L., Gadd, T., Vuolle, J., Lienemann, T., Kauppinen, A., Kivivirta, K., Biström, M., Seppänen, J., Raulo, S., Voutilainen, L., Rimhanen-Finne, R., & Holopainen, R. (2025): Strengthening preparedness and collaboration in cross-border zoonotic pathogen surveillance through OH4Surveillance Project. Poster (pdf).
Funding:
European Union (Grant Agreement No. 101132473)
