Professor Isabel Maurício will join the Management Committee of the COST Action CA25101, “Pan-European One Health Network for Infectious Diseases Detection, Monitoring and Prevention (1HEALTH-NET)”, representing Portugal and IHMT.
The proposal for this new European network also included Professors Ana Abecasis, Manuela Calado and early-career researcher Inês Martins Alves. Their participation brings together expertise from the GHTM research groups Vector-borne Diseases and Pathogens (VBD), Population Health, Policies and Services (PPS), and Pathogen Resistance, Infection and Molecular Epidemiology (PRIME).
The COST Action 1HEALTH-NET aims to strengthen pan-European collaboration on the detection, monitoring and prevention of infectious diseases through a One Health approach, integrating human, animal and environmental health perspectives. Applications are currently open for participation in the Action’s Working Groups, offering an opportunity for researchers and professionals to contribute to this multidisciplinary European network.
This initiative is closely aligned with GHTM’s strategy for infectious disease monitoring, particularly its Cross-Cutting Issue Genomic Surveillance and Population Mobility. The network will provide an important framework for integrating research on HIV/AIDS and other viral infections, helminthiases and other parasitic diseases within multidisciplinary teams working across human, animal and environmental health.
In addition to IHMT’s internationally recognised research excellence in HIV, the network will benefit from the Institute’s work in Helminthology, encompassing several neglected tropical diseases and emerging health challenges. Relevant areas of research include emerging helminthiases such as cercarial dermatitis, recently investigated through the FCT Alqueva project; helminthiases whose transmission is affected by environmental change, including fascioliasis, schistosomiasis and dirofilariasis; and helminthiases whose geographical spread is facilitated by globalisation, such as infection with Angiostrongylus cantonensis.
Environmental surveillance will also be an important contribution from IHMT to the network. The development of accessible methodologies for the detection of environmental DNA (eDNA), particularly in environmental and wastewater samples, offers promising tools for the monitoring of infectious agents and their transmission dynamics.
Researchers interested in contributing to COST Action CA25101 are invited to apply to join its Working Groups. Further information on Working Groups and membership is available on the COST Action CA25101 website.
This participation reinforces GHTM | IHMT NOVA‘s commitment to advancing innovative, interdisciplinary and internationally connected approaches to infectious disease surveillance and prevention, addressing current and emerging health challenges through a truly One Health perspective.
