*
 
International Polar Year
IPY 2007-2008
 
 
Updated on 05/01/2009
 
*
 

Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

Click for printer friendly version


PROPOSAL INFORMATION

(ID No: 742)

Parasitic zoonotic foodborne diseases in the population of Arctic with special focus on Greenland.  (Foodborne disease in the population of Greenland)

Outline
A study on foodborne parasitic diseases among the Greenlandic population. Several zoonotic parasites are widespread in the wildlife in Arctic. These can be a tread for the public health in the Arctic and there is a need for collecting data on infection with these parasites in the Inuit communities to build up food-safety guidelines suited for Arctic food habits.Studies on the zoonotic parasites Toxoplasma gondii, Anisakis simplex, Pseudoterranova decipiens and Diphyllobothrium latum have not been made among the population in Greenland. All these parasites are found in the Arctic wildlife but nothing is known about the transmission to humans through food. Studies on the parasite Trichinella nativa have shown that the parasite is widespread among wildlife, and a higher prevalence of the disease, human trichinellosis, has been observed in the Arctic compared to Europe. A recent study has shown that infection with this parasite is related to traditional food habits and hunting. More studies on human trichinellosis in Greenland are still needed to fully understand the health and economic problems an infection with this parasite causes in humans. In Canada a project on evaluating the status and starting a monitoring of Trichinella nativa and Toxoplasma gondii in terrestrial and marine animals are planned to begin in 2007. We can, with this project add valuable data on the human status to the already existing database to demonstrate serious public health issues in the Arctic.

Theme(s)   Major Target
 

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Status: The current state of five pathogens in humans in the Polar environment.Change: Analysis of old blood samples for antibodies against these parasites will show the trend of these diseases over time. Global linkages: Comparison of the status in the rest of Arctic will help Greenland to implement similar guidelines for food-control.New Frontiers: Studies on several of the five parasites have never been done, so results from this study will all be new information. Human Dimension: The new knowledge on the infections in humans will give the Health Care system in Greenland a better chance of making the appropriate programs and guidelines for handling traditionally hunted food to avoid future diseases.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Nunavik Research Centre (Canada), Greenland Home Rule (Greenland), Statens Serum Institut (Denmark), Greenland Natural Resource Centre (Greenland) and Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology (Denmark).


FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
This project will need facilities for laboratory work which can be found on the Greenland Natural Resource Centre and on the local hospitals. This will give the opportunity for training local employees in analysing samples for parasites. This will ease the way for starting up a trichinellosis prevention program similar to the Canadians, and if needed programs for monitoring other pathogens.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 03/07-08/08      10/08-03/09      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The results gain from this project will affect the decision if disease prevention programs on zoonotic diseases should be started in Greenland. The need for a trichinellosis program as the one in Canada will prevent more cases of human trichinellosis and will improve the health of Greenland population.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?


PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
YES
Planned activity in Canada: Assessing the status of the food-borne zoonotic diseases, Trichinellosis and Toxoplasmosis, in Arctic Communities. Manon Simard, Nunavik Research Centre (Canada).

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be managed by: Lone N. Møller, MSc, PhD stud, Danish Centre of Experimental Parasitology, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, 100 Dyrlaegevej, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. Tel. (+45) 3528 2785, Fax (+45) 3528 2774, lnm@kvl.dk.Organisation:Blood samples will be collected in Northwest-, Midwest-, Southwest-, and East-Greenland. These samples will be analysed for specific antibodies against the parasites. Data on food habits, clinic, education and employment among other things will be collected from questionnaires.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Education: A course in diagnosing parasites in foods and in humans will be started in Greenland in cooperation with Greenland Home Rule. Communication: The results will be communicated to the public by scientific paper, local papers and other medias.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
The data will be added to an existing data base on arctic parasitic diseases managed by Nunavik Research Centre in Canada and to the Greenland Bio Bank database managed by Statens Serum Institut in Copenhagen, Denmark.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding from Greenland Home Rule Scientific fond.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None


PROPOSER DETAILS


Lone Møller

Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology
Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University
100 Dyrlaegevej
DK-1870 Frederiksberg
Denmark

Tel: +45 3528 2785
Mobile:
Fax: +45 3528 2774
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Name   Affiliation
Christian Kapel   Danish Centre for Experimental Parasitology
Manon Simard   Nunavik Research Centre
Anders Koch   Statens Serum Institut
Medical Office in Greenland   Greenland Home Rule
     
     

Other Information


 
   
   
 
Strengthening international science for the benefit of society