ONWARD (CA24140) - One Health zoonotic Hepevirus Network

Zoonotic Hepeviruses, such as Paslahepevirus (HEV) and Rocahepevirus (RVHE) are a major health threat in Europe. Despite HEV is the main cause of viral acute hepatitis in the continent, most countries lack standard procedures since control is not supervised at either EU or governmental levels, not recognized as notifiable disease at the animal and human level. Furthermore, there is currently no common European scheme for efficient surveillance in animals and humans, harmonized molecular diagnostic protocols, or specific drugs or approved vaccines for HEV and RVHE. Consequently, the main challenge is to control the spread of zoonotic Hepeviruses to protect human health. The main objective of ONWARD is to create an interdisciplinary expert network to develop a comprehensive view of Hepevirus and its impact on human health to better manage and prevent the disease in Europe.