Human-animal-environment interface research

Overview

As part of WHO’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO R&D Blueprint, in collaboration with the Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response (GLOPID-R), developed a global research roadmap to accelerate research that can contribute to containing the spread of this epidemic and to facilitate that those affected receive optimal care.

The research priorities identified at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface are listed in the document and include:

• Investigation of possible animal host ranges (including wildlife, farmed wildlife, livestock, companion animals, stray animals, pests/vermin), investigation of the potential transmission pathways between susceptible animal(s) and to humans and vice versa;
• Confirmation of the role of candidate species through virus persistence, amplification and excretion studies. Continued assessment of the role of known susceptible hosts in amplifying and maintaining the virus;
• Studies on candidate animal-human interactions, including the persistence of the virus in the environment of this interface. Continued investigation of viral persistence under a variety of environmental conditions including food processing, packing and shipment modalities.

Scientific projects aiming to initiate important scientific and technical work or to facilitate on-going research of interest and identified as priority are currently supported.