What are emerging and zoonotic viruses? What is the risk for South Africa? Why are respiratory and mosquito transmitted viruses of particular risk for outbreaks in humans and animals? Can monitoring of horses, domestic animals and wildlife be used as an early warning system for disease outbreaks in humans?

What is a One Health approach and why is it needed to track and eliminate zoonotic pathogens?

From Avian Influenza to West Nile and Zikavirus, emerging viruses have been responsible for major outbreaks internationally over the past decade. The majority of emerging viruses originated in animals and can be transmitted either directly to humans or through mosquito or other biting insect vectors. To combat these viruses, which pose a serious threat to human and animal health, one needs to adopt an integrated program referred to as a One Health approach: one that takes into consideration human and animal health as well as environmental factors. Because of the risk of transmission and outbreaks in humans and animals, these viruses can only be handled in high security or specialized containment laboratories.

In tonight's session of Science & Cocktails, Marietjie Venter will describe the work that
she and her team in the Emerging Vector and Respiratory Virus Program, within the Centre for Viral Zoonoses at the University of Pretoria, is involved in, in terms of research and surveillance on respiratory and mosquito transmitted viruses that can cause severe neurological and respiratory disease in humans and animals.

We will find out about the surveillance network established by the team, which includes virologists, veterinarians, doctors and ecologists, to trace emerging and zoonotic viruses in South Africa and use state of the art technology to discover new viruses and determine their risk and pathogenesis to humans and animals internationally. Marietjie Venter will explain how her team has already described viruses such as West Nile virus, Middelburgvirus and Shunivirus in humans and animals in the country. Finally, she will describe the diagnostic, surveillance and control strategies that she and her colleagues have developed in order to respond to future outbreaks as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Image: Capsid (Daniel Friedman/flickr)