Chantal Reusken, virologist and principal expert in virology at the Netherlands Centre for Infectious Disease Control at RIVM, has been appointed professor at Utrecht University. As of 1 June 2025, she is a professor of Emerging Viruses in One Health Context at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The chair she now occupies contributes to a strong, multidisciplinary approach to viruses that threaten animal and human health.
Reusken: “I see this appointment as a fantastic opportunity. In this role, I can contribute to protecting human and animal health, based on my expertise as a public health virologist. I look forward to strengthening collaboration between the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and the Centre for Infectious Disease Control, so we can benefit from each other’s knowledge and research. I also anticipate making a contribution to education in veterinary medicine.”
Aims of the chair
Infectious diseases in animals are also a major threat to human health: an estimated 80% of emerging viruses in humans are of animal origin. Reusken’s chair connects knowledge, infrastructure and networks in this field from a multidisciplinary perspective, referred to as One Health. In doing so, the chair strengthens preparedness and response to public health threats. Additionally, the chair aims to further educate future veterinarians about the public health aspects, including control, research and monitoring of viral zoonoses. That is also an important task.”
Enrichment for RIVM
Menno de Jong, director of the Netherlands Centre for Infectious Disease Control at RIVM: “Viruses of animal origin are an increasing threat to public health. That is why this chair is extremely valuable; it allows the Centre as a whole to strengthen our collaboration with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University – and internal collaboration on One Health.”
About Chantal Reusken
Virologist Chantal Reusken completed her PhD at Leiden University in 1997, focusing on interactions between RNA and proteins of the alfalfa mosaic virus. From 2005 to 2014, Reusken worked in virology at the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), not least as department head of Emerging Viral Infections, followed by several years at Erasmus MC. In 2018 Reusken returned to RIVM as a principal expert in virology.
Other roles include:
- Head of the National Reference Laboratory for arboviruses, viral haemorrhagic fevers and SARS-CoV-2.
- Head of the EU (European Union ) Reference Laboratory (EURL) for Public Health on Vector-borne viral pathogens.
- Head of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Laboratory Preparedness and Response for High Threat Pathogens and Biorisk.
- Advisor to various international organisations, WHO and ECDC among others, including a seat on the WHO Technical Advisory Group on arboviruses.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Reusken was on the Outbreak Management Team.
Read more about Reusken’s professorship on the Utrecht Univershttps://www.uu.nl/en/news/infectious-diseases-are-a-continuous-threat-to-the-health-of-humans-and-animalsity website.