Every year on 6 July, World Zoonoses Day highlights the importance of preventing and controlling diseases that are transmitted between animals and humans. As zoonotic diseases continue to pose significant challenges to global health, the One Health approach—recognising the close links between human, animal and environmental health—is increasingly essential.
At GHTM | IHMT NOVA, researchers are contributing to this effort through projects that improve the understanding, surveillance and prevention of zoonotic diseases.
One example is an ongoing cooperation project with the Municipality of Alenquer, focused on canine leishmaniasis and canine leptospirosis, two zoonoses of public health importance. The partnership includes a scientific study to assess the prevalence of these diseases in the municipality, strengthening research, diagnosis and awareness while supporting the development of prevention and control strategies.
Research on leishmaniasis also extends beyond Portugal. Coordinated by Carla Maia (VBD-GHTM), the Horizon Europe CLIMOS project has significantly advanced knowledge of sand fly-borne pathogens across Europe and the Mediterranean. Through large-scale surveillance, the project has improved understanding of the distribution of Leishmania parasites and phleboviruses and has contributed to the development of practical tools, including the CLIMOS Early Warning System and the CLIMOS Toolkit, supporting preparedness for vector-borne diseases under a One Health framework.
At the same time, researchers from the Leptospirosis and Lyme Borreliosis Group have reported the first isolation in Portugal of viable saprophytic Leptospira from urban waters, soils and biofilms in several areas of Lisbon, while also detecting pathogenic and intermediate species. These findings demonstrate that urban environments may serve as reservoirs for Leptospira, highlighting the importance of integrated surveillance that combines environmental, animal and human health. Researchers Sofia Cortes (VBD-GHTM) and Ana Armada (PRIME – GHTM) participate in these studies.
GHTM is also investing in innovative research to better understand canine leishmaniasis. The miL3DSkin project, coordinated by Armanda Rodrigues (VBD-GHTM) and funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), uses advanced three-dimensional canine skin models to investigate the earliest interactions between Leishmania parasites and their host. By improving our understanding of disease mechanisms, the project may contribute to the development of new diagnostic and prevention strategies for this important zoonosis.
On World Zoonoses Day, these projects illustrate GHTM’s commitment to advancing scientific knowledge through the One Health approach, generating evidence that supports disease surveillance, public health preparedness and the prevention of zoonotic diseases in Portugal and beyond.
Over the coming days, we will be exploring these projects in greater detail, highlighting the work of our researchers and the impact of their findings on human, animal and environmental health. Stay connected and follow our website and social media channels to discover how GHTM is helping to address the challenges posed by zoonotic diseases through One Health research.
