The 2015 symposium focuses on the One Health principle. The One Health concept recognizes that the health of humans is connected to the health of animals and the environment. Humans and animals interact with greater frequency and intimacy in a globalized world. This interaction offers the opportunity for the emergence and spread of disease agents that could adversely impact animal or human health or both. We need to be aware of the animal health, animal well-being, human safety, human health, food safety, food security, public perception, trade implications, and market-access aspects if we want to improve poultry production, because food production will also need to support a growing world population in a sustainable way. Poultry production is essential in providing affordable protein and has a low ecological footprint.
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In poultry production, intestinal health is a key factor to obtain maximal performance. Better understanding of the complex microbiota composition and the host- microbiota interactions will lead to optimal steering of gut microbiota, resulting in better gut health and performance. Research in intestinal problems in humans like Inflammatory Bowel Disease is also investigating these issues: interaction of host response with the intestinal microbiota community, so scientific studies can benefit both human and animal health. One World, One Health.
het_pand_buiten2The IHSIG group therefore organizes a symposium on the One Health concept and implications for intestinal health management in poultry for veterinarians, poultry producers, scientists, and regulatory authorities. International speakers will provide information on the concept of One World, One Health and innovative research and solutions to improve intestinal health in poultry will be presented.
On the second day of the symposium, a hands-on workshop will be organized by Dr. Filip Boyen, Laboratory of Veterinary Bacteriology and Mycology UGhent, on antimicrobial resistance determination and its consequences for animal and human health.
During the symposium time is foreseen for networking and exchange of ideas with speakers and visitors.
The exceptional speakers at the conference:
Prof. Ron Fouchier (Department of Virology Erasmus MC Rotterdam NDL): ‘One-Health: viruses of animals and man’ (video 1, video 2)
Prof. Tom Humphrey (Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease group, Swansea University, UK): Zoonosis.
Dr. Gwen Falony (Microbiome Research Laboratory, KUL) and Prof. Filip Van Immerseel (Department of pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases UGhent): Gut microbiota in health and disease.
Prof. Ilias Kyriazakis (Newcastle University, UK): How can we improve the environmental sustainability of poultry farming systems?
Prof. Richard Ducatelle (Department of pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases UGhent): ‘Clostridium perfringens: One pathogen, Many diseases, One mechanism’.
Dr. Kogut (Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center, Texas): ‘Stimulating Immunity to improve gut health.’