In the last 30 years, European rabbit populations have been decimated by the rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD). RHD is caused by a Lagovirus of the family Caliciviridae, RHD virus (RHDV) which causes a fulminant hepatitis that leads to death within 48-72h. In 2010, a new variant of RHDV (GI.2) emerged in France with unique characteristics such as an ability to kill rabbits <11 days old, vaccinated rabbits and hares. GI.2 has been reported in Europe, Australia, America and Africa, and affects both wild and farm rabbits. Several recombination events with pathogenic and non-pathogenic RHDV strains have been described, with a possible link to virulence. In this project we will monitor RHD epidemiology in the Mediterranean basin and perform a genomic characterization of circulating strains. We will collect samples from wild rabbits and hares found dead in the field, through current collaborations and ongoing monitoring activities, but also from farm animals. Genomes of the strains will be used to develop more accurate, rapid and sensitive diagnostic tools, especially relevant for the rabbit-related industry, and develop cheaper and more efficient vaccines. Considering the dynamics of the strains, we expect to test and apply biosecurity measures to prevent outbreaks and better contain the disease in the field and in rabbit-production systems. Serological status of leporid populations will also be determined. We further expect to determine the role of the rabbit immune system for vaccine design. This might be useful for containing disease outbreaks in rabbit production systems, particularly in countries located south to the Mediterranean basin. Information gathered within this proposal will be used to advise and train stakeholders and our partners in Africa on disease diagnosis and prophylaxis, and technical management. We expect to contribute to sustainable farming systems, particularly in Africa, by developing containing measures against a still emergent animal disease.

Although eradication has traditionally been the goal for many infectious diseases, it is not achievable for vector-bone diseases for which multiple epidemiological compartments (urban and sylvatic vector species, domestic and wild hosts, human populations) co-exist and interact in a changing environment. Additionally, although control or preventive measures are available, this may not ultimately impact the success of a programme and lead to the reduction of disease burden. Consideration of socio-economic and cultural factors affecting the livelihood and well-being of farmers and animal breeders can be important incentives for participation or non-compliance. Biological understanding of disease epidemiology is therefore as important as socio-economic considerations of farmers, limitations of stakeholders and communities’ engagement, assessment of attitudes and expectations of the end-users, evaluation of technical tools (diagnostic tests, vaccines, trained staff) and surveillance and control measures. The assessment of these factors should guide the strategic planning and surveillance and control of vector-borne disease programme implementation. Therefore, we present the MAKEDA project (Multi-Actor Knowledge on surveillance and control of Emerging vector-borne animal Diseases in Europe and Africa), regrouping key researchers with expertise on animal and zoonotic vector diseases from leading institutes in Africa and Europe. The MAKEDA project aims at establishing an integrated One-Health approach to characterize emergence and outbreak drivers of vector-borne diseases affecting livestock along an Africa-Europe transect, raising awareness among stakeholders and farmer communities of risks and good practices for surveillance and control, preparing and anticipating current and emerging threats. The originality of the MAKEDA project will be achieved by merging unconventional approaches for surveillance and control of vector-borne diseases (sociological methods, participatory modelling and epidemiology) with classical epidemiological, entomological and microbiological studies to optimize actions in challenging environments. It also owes its originality in contributing towards controlling and monitoring animal diseases by deploying great efforts to integrate numerous inter-sectorial actors into the One Health paradigm and considering of high importance continuous assessment of impact pathway with partners and end-users. To this purpose, the MAKEDA project will link research, national and international animal and public health organizations, and farmer organizations in Europe and Africa to develop. The broad inclusion of experts from animal diseases epidemiology and surveillance, risk modelling and analysis, vaccine development and control strategies, health economy, applied social sciences to livestock disease management and the upstream inclusion from the planning of the project and experiments to implementation and dissemination of the results will ensure involvement of various animal health actors and beneficiaries of the project.