The importance of cross sectorial inclusive working is crucial to ensure the right diagnostics systems are in place to help detect 99% of all viral threats within the next 10 years before they spill over into humans and livestock according to leading scientists from Queen’s University Belfast, Public Health England, DAERA and the Food Standards Agency.
![Mr Colin Coffey (AFBI Chair) Mr Colin Coffey (AFBI Chair)](https://www.afbini.gov.uk/sites/afbini.gov.uk/files/styles/inline/public/images/%5Bcurrent-domain%3Amachine-name%5D/news/Colin%20Coffey.jpg?itok=8oOQUk6E×tamp=1618397685)
As part of the recent virtual annual Agri Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) Outlook Science conference a number of top Professors discussed the key learnings from the Covid 19 pandemic and in particular the interactions between animal and human health with 60% of human pathogens present in domestic animals or wildlife.
![Professor Miles Carroll, Deputy Director, Head of Research & Development Institute, National Infection Service, Public Health England Professor Miles Carroll, Deputy Director, Head of Research & Development Institute, National Infection Service, Public Health England](https://www.afbini.gov.uk/sites/afbini.gov.uk/files/styles/inline-expandable/public/images/Myles%20Carroll%20Public%20Health%20England.jpg?itok=_Wf34ZIO)
“There are currently over 1.6m unknown virus species within our ecosystems and more viruses are emerging continually as human behaviour changes. Our research and data show that early diagnostics are vital for outbreak response and while vaccination is the most cost effective was to reduce disease burden, we need to be prepared now for future outbreaks to minimise spill over and transmission.”
![Professor Stuart Elborn, Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast Professor Stuart Elborn, Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast](https://www.afbini.gov.uk/sites/afbini.gov.uk/files/styles/inline-expandable/public/images/Stuart%20Elborn%20-%20Session%20Chair.jpg?itok=KleeSFDS)
The full conference and individual sessions can be viewed on the AFBI YouTube Channel
![Panel Discussion from Session One of the AFBI Science Outlook Conference 2021 Panel Discussion from Session One of the AFBI Science Outlook Conference 2021](https://www.afbini.gov.uk/sites/afbini.gov.uk/files/styles/inline-expandable/public/images/Panel%20Discussion.jpg?itok=uTcRcxWe)
Latest news
- Honorary Professorship acknowledges AFBI expert’s contribution to advancing sustainable agriculture 28 June 2024
- Zone 3 of the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme opens for registration 24 June 2024
- Important information on temporary changes in the provision of Postmortem facilities at OMAGH Laboratory 12 June 2024
- AFBI Open Days – Tackling Ammonia Emissions from NI Livestock Farming 11 June 2024