Many discoveries about bacteria of the Brucella genus have been made in recent years: new species have been discovered, others that were already known have been detected in animals not known to carry these bacteria, and species such as Brucella canis are emerging in Western Europe. Could these bacteria be transmitted to humans? Which animal species are concerned? How can these bacteria be distinguished from each other? These questions were the focus of the European IDEMBRU project, coordinated by ANSES as part of the One Health EJP programme.

ANSES has developed a PCR test for the rapid and inexpensive identification of Listeria monocytogenes strains causing foodborne infections, in collaboration with food safety laboratories in several other European countries. This test has already been used in some countries to investigate the origin of human cases of listeriosis.

The combined use of several different software applications could speed up the acquisition of knowledge on toxins known as mycotoxins, which are produced by certain types of mould growing in food. This innovative approach has been used by ANSES scientists to identify mycotoxins that may be mutagenic and/or carcinogenic.

Together with the Toulouse National Veterinary School, ANSES is co-publishing the results of two experiments carried out to test vaccines designed to protect ducks from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The two vaccines gave similar results: they greatly limited direct transmission when the animals were in close contact, and also blocked indirect airborne transmission.

Epizootic haemorrhagic disease is a viral disease that was first detected in Europe in late 2022. Since then it has affected several cattle herds in Italy and Spain. ANSES helped identify and monitor the spread of the virus, which is transmitted by biting midges.

After more than five years, the One Health European Joint Programme (EJP) will soon be coming to an end. Coordinated by ANSES, it has helped put the "One Health" concept into practice with a view to improving knowledge of zoonotic diseases, food safety, antimicrobial resistance and emerging diseases. Three questions for Arnaud Callegari, coordinator of the One Health European Joint Programme (EJP) within ANSES.

For two years, 20 partners from 13 European countries worked together to study SARS‑CoV‑2 and coronaviruses under the COVRIN project. It aimed to gain a better understanding of the factors behind the emergence and spread of the virus responsible for COVID-19, in order to strengthen preparedness for any new coronavirus. ANSES was closely involved in studying the risks of the virus jumping from animals to humans and the possibility of transmission from the environment.

Nematodes are parasitic worms, some species of which cause major crop losses. To prevent their spread, it is important to disinfect organic waste – plants, soil and sludge – and water that have been in contact with these pests before discarding or reusing them. Scientists from ANSES's Plant Health Laboratory have assessed the effectiveness of various disinfection methods enabling this waste to be recovered and reused as part of the circular economy.

A vaccine to combat African swine fever could be produced based on research carried out by ANSES’s Ploufragan-Plouzané-Niort Laboratory. The initial results obtained are promising and are paving the way for an effective means of combating this disease, which is responsible for high mortality rates in pigs and wild boar in several countries in Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.

In late December, a sick cat in the Deux-Sèvres département tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1. ANSES was actively involved in the investigation of this case, which led to a nearby duck farm being identified as the source of the cat's contamination. The increase in such viral transfers from birds to mammals in different countries calls for vigilance, as they could facilitate the possible transfer to humans.