New report showcases Med-Vet-Net´s achievements

The Network, which concluded on 31 October having ushered in a new era of scientific collaboration and preparedness across Europe, uniquely brought together more than 300 multi‑disciplinary scientists from 10 countries to undertake research on the zoonoses and food-borne diseases that threaten public health.

Med-Vet-Net Project Manager, Professor John Threlfall of the UK’s Health Protection Agency, said the fruits of the Network’s scientific collaborations could not be overstated.
“In the fight against disease it is critical that, as a European community, we can respond effectively, collectively and immediately,” John said.

“Through Med-Vet-Net’s work we now have standardized tests and tools, harmonized laboratory procedures, common strain collections and repositories of reagents, and a common language across Europe to enable us to more quickly and accurately detect and control the most serious food-borne disease threats.”

A legacy of success

The new report outlines the successes of Med-Vet-Net’s 25 multi-partner scientific projects, which yielded an unparalleled catalogue of results, many with significant and tangible benefits to the European Community, including:

• New tests for earlier and more accurate detection of Salmonella, Verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC), Q-fever, pig trichinellosis and food-borne virus diseases
• A real-time surveillance network of food‑borne infections in Europe (PulseNet Europe)
• An online atlas comprising a series of maps showing the spread and incidence of the 10 most important types of Salmonella in Europe (‘Salmonella Atlas’)
• A new serological test that measures antibodies in blood serum as an indicator of past infection, offering a more accurate picture of disease incidence
• The first ever food-based detections in Europe of particular genes associated with resistance to beta-lactam-, aminoglycoside- and flouroquinolone antibiotics
• Identification of infection rates in different countries of food-borne disease in humans 
• New methods of assessing risks to consumers and the impact of control measures, and 
• Identification of the burden of infection of food-borne disease — the costs and impact to the community.

Building a European Community to Combat Zoonoses also details the triumph of Med-Vet-Net’s virtual institute concept and the Network’s commitment to training and professional development.

Copies of the new report are available electronically from Med-Vet-Net’s website, or in hard copy from the Communications Unit.

Download copies of the Stakeholder Report.