ABRUZZO. “The announcement made today by the Undersecretary of Health with responsibility for animal health, Marcello Gemmato, who confers on the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Abruzzo and Molise ‘G. Caporale’ the designation as an FAO reference center for One Health can only fill us with pride.
The zooprophylactic institute once again proves itself to be an international point of reference for public health and confirms its excellence in the work it carries out daily to promote health and well-being”. The president of the Abruzzo Region declared it, Marcus Marsilio.
“Following our careful evaluation of the mandate, key activities and competencies, the achievement of scientific, technical and political prestige and commitment to strengthening capacity development in areas relevant to FAO, as well as collaborative experience previous relationship with the FAO, I am pleased to inform you that the IZS of Teramo has been designated FAO Reference Center for One Health”. Start with these lines signed by Deputy Director-General of the FAO, Maria Helena Semedothe nomination document sent to the General Director of the IZS of Abruzzo and Molise Nicola D’Alterio.
“This prestigious designation once again rewards the scientific expertise of our Institute. First of all, I would like to thank the researchers and all the staff of the Institution” – comments the DG D’Alterio – “After the Reference Centers for Veterinary Epidemiology, Zoonotic Coronaviruses and expertise in the sectors of animal health and information systems, FAO recognizes us also as a center of international excellence for research and health protection in holistic terms. We have always worked following the One Health approach with the aim of achieving global health and paying particular attention to the most vulnerable populations living in developing countries where the relationship between people’s health and the health of their animals is very close. and the environment in which they live, with all that entails”.
There are several tasks of the new Reference Center which, first of all, is called upon to provide “specific and independent technical-scientific advice” to FAO in activities to support the development of the Organization’s member countries. The IZS of Teramo will have to provide diagnostic services on suspected and confirmed outbreaks of emerging zoonotic pathogens; training and consultancy for capacity building of national veterinary laboratories of FAO member countries; develop and strengthen the surveillance system to monitor antimicrobial resistance in relation to the human, animal and environmental interface; perform molecular characterization of pathogens in wastewater; strengthen the early detection and characterization of emerging pathogens, using technologies such as Next Generation Sequencing. And again, supporting FAO by promoting research for the development of new generation veterinary vaccines and the production of diagnostic kits and biological reagents; provide technical support for the development of predictive epidemiological models for the control of diseases such as Rift Valley Fever, West Nile Disease, Dengue, Zika, etc.
“One Health is a healthcare approach based on the integration of different disciplines, which recognizes the intimate connection between people, animals and the environment, and which proposes an integrated approach to prevent the spread of diseases and holistically address health threats. The activities and areas of intervention of the newly created Reference Center are many, requiring joint work of transversal professionalism on a strictly scientific level and beyond” – adds the General Director D’Alterio – “With this in mind, in 2022, we have become promoters of One Health Award precisely to create a large space for public debate, involving scientists from different disciplines, political decision makers, science communicators, communication professionals, protagonists from the world of culture and entrepreneurship. Bringing different approaches into dialogue with each other to arrive at the synthesis of a Single Health, in the belief that to prevent the spread of diseases it is necessary to implement interdisciplinary actions on a health, political and daily practice level”.
“On behalf of myself and all the staff of the Institute that I have the honor of directing” – he concludes D’Alterio– “I thank Undersecretary Gemmato who immediately showed closeness to our scientific reality. The words of esteem that he expressed for the designation of the IZS of Teramo as FAO CoR have great value and will be an incentive to do more and more and better in the service of the country”.
In a note already sent to the media, in fact, the Undersecretary of State for Health, Marcello Gemmatocomplimented the Institute: “A round of applause to the entire IZS team in Teramo for their extraordinary work and dedication in promoting One Health and in obtaining this prestigious nomination. The IZS of Teramo continues to represent a fundamental pillar in the national and international public health panorama, and the Ministry of Health is committed to continuing to support its important initiatives and projects”.
“Proud of the FAO designation of the Zooprophylactic Institute of Teramo”
Vastoweb
“Proud of the FAO designation of the Zooprophylactic Institute of Teramo”
Vastoweb
“Proud of the FAO designation of the Zooprophylactic Institute of Teramo”
Vastoweb
“Proud of the FAO designation of the Zooprophylactic Institute of Teramo”
Vastoweb
