Mission

It is impossible to eradicate zoonotic infectious diseases, since most of the causative pathogens are introduced from microbial flora that exist in the wild. Such infectious diseases can be controlled only by taking preemptive measures to predict and prevent their outbreak. For the establishment of preemptive measures against zoonoses, a prerequisite is to identify natural host animals carrying potential pathogens and to elucidate the transmission routes and factors involved in the spread and pathogenesis of infections. As well as promoting basic research on zoonotic diseases, there is a pressing need to develop effective measures for diagnosis, prophylaxis and therapy, to widely disseminate information and technology, and to train experts for the control of zoonoses. Hokkaido University International Institute for Zoonosis Control will carry out coherent scientific and educational activities toward the conquest of zoonoses.