The recent international summer school on One Health and the effects of climate adaptation on health, organized by the Pandemic and Disaster Preparedness Center (PDPC), The Department of Viroscience – Erasmus MC, ID Alert, and One Health PACT, was a resounding success. Out of 110 applicants, 30 participants were selected, representing a wide array of academic disciplines and diverse countries of origin.
The program provided a unique platform for participants to explore cutting-edge research being conducted in Rotterdam. The focus was on the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, particularly in the context of climate change. The program included immersive experiences, such as a day at the Natural History Museum and another at the Blijdorp Zoo, where participants engaged in hands-on research on birds and mosquitoes. They were introduced to innovative methods, including the use of sound for bird identification and advanced mosquito traps that automatically count and identify species.
“The Summer School provided an exceptional opportunity to explore the One Health approach to understanding vector-borne diseases in the context of changing climate, with a diverse program that covered a wide range of topics. Active participation from the multi-disciplinary attendees enriched the experience, fostering dynamic discussions and collaborative learning.”
Marina Treskova (Heidelberg University, GER)
“With thousands of birdwatchers in the Netherlands, there is huge potential to use citizen science for detection of early signs of zoonotic disease outbreaks in birds.”
Erik Kleyheeg (Sovon Dutch Centre for Field Ornithology, NL)
“Understanding how climate change affect risks of disease epidemics is a relevant but wicked problem that needs a One Health approach for answering.”
Lineke Begeman (Erasmus MC: Department of Viroscience, NL)
