Preparing for vector-borne virus outbreaks in a changing world: a One Health Approach

The Netherlands is particularly vulnerable to outbreaks of viral diseases transmitted by mosquitoes due to its water-dominated landscape, dense humans and livestock population and the expected establishment of new mosquito species such as Aedes albopictus. Separated and reaction-based research efforts into the numerous factors interplaying in the emergence of viral outbreaks, however results in disconnected research findings and critical factors unstudied. The One Health PACT is a research collaboration of experts in a wide variety of fields relevant for infectious disease outbreaks, ranging from ecological and climate modelling to medical entomology, virology and public health. Together we take a proactive approach in the preparation for future outbreaks of mosquito-borne diseases in the Netherlands (see section on Pillars for detailed approach). The One Health PACT includes research projects for 26 PhD students and one post-doctoral researcher, who are based in five universities in the Netherlands and closely collaborate with national institutions.