The health of humans and animals around the world is increasingly under threat due to new and recurring epidemics and foodborne disease outbreaks, which place pressure on health services and the production of livestock. These epidemics also reduce consumer confidence in food and negatively impact trade and food security. The longer it takes from the start of an outbreak of for example Ebola, influenza or salmonella, until it is detected and stopped, the greater the consequences. The most important factor in being able to limit the consequences and costs of such outbreaks is the ability to quickly identify the disease-causing microorganisms that are causing the disease. Secondly, there is the need for knowledge about the mechanisms that cause the disease, and how the bacteria are transmitted to and between humans.

Use of genome sequencing

COMPARE aims to develop a global platform that will make it possible to quickly identify disease-causing microorganisms which cause, or have the potential to cause, disease outbreaks around the world. The research project makes use of whole genome sequencing, in which a disease-causing microorganism’s whole DNA-profile is mapped out at one time. ”The platform we are going to create in this project will make it possible in real time to exchange and interpret information about disease-causing microorganisms from around the world, and to compare this with other relevant information such as clinical and epidemiological data,” the consortium leaders professor Frank Møller Aarestrup from the National Food Institute of Denmark, and professor Marion Koopmans from Erasmus MC the Netherlands explain. "The aim is that the platform can be used to harmonise the way scientists, authorities, doctors and organisations around the world collect samples, generate genome sequencing data and carry out risk assessments. This new approach to disease surveillance will be able to revolutionise the way we combat diseases globally," Aarestrup and Koopmans add.

One Health approach

Zoonoses – diseases that can spread from animals and food to humans – are the cause of many epidemics internationally. For this reason COMPARE is based on a collaboration across sectors and land borders. The project will also develop tools that can be used to diagnose and treat patients, investigate outbreaks and communicate the risks associated with various disease-causing microorganisms.

COMPARE collaboration

COMPARE is a collaboration between the organisations behind the Global Microbial Identifier (GMI) project as well as some of Europe's leading institutions in the field of emerging epidemics and foodborne outbreaks. Amsterdam Medical Center, Erasmus iBMG and RIVM are also partner in the project. Co-funding is provided by RIVM Strategic Programme. In the GMI project, a number of international institutions are working together to improve global disease surveillance and clinical diagnosis of diseases. Read more about the project on GMI's website.