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Preparing for Emerging Zoonotic Diseases

Merck Animal Health has entered into a unique partnership with the Dutch government and academic institutions in the Netherlands to develop vaccines against a number of emerging zoonotic diseases, including Rift Valley Fever, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, and swine and avian influenzas.

This public/private consortium consists of the Dutch government, Merck Animal Health, the University of Utrecht, the Central Veterinary Institute in Lelystad and the Dutch Vaccine Institute (RIVM). Its goal is to protect humans and animals against emerging disease outbreaks.

"We believe this is a major step forward," explained Dr. Rene Aerts, vice president, Global R&D Biologicals, MSD Animal Health.* "Each time there is an outbreak, very costly and sometimes drastic measures have to be taken. We should be looking to control these diseases at the animal source before the diseases ever get the chance to make the jump to humans."

*Merck Animal Health, known as MSD Animal Health outside the U.S. and Canada, is the global animal health business unit of Merck.

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