Zoonoses are infections and diseases that are transmissible from animals to humans. The infection can be acquired directly from animals, but mostly from contaminated foodstuffs. The severity of these diseases in humans varies from mild symptoms to life-threatening conditions. In order to prevent zoonoses from occurring, it is important to identify which animals and foodstuffs are the main sources of infections.

My research primarily focuses on human disease burden caused by food borne pathogens. Using different modelling techniques, I estimate numbers of human cases attributed to specific food sources, the associated cost to society including lost production (COI estimates) or total lost life-years adjusted for disability (DALY estimates). In addition, I also assist in qualitative risk assessment in relation to zoonoses in animal production systems, foods or humans.

A main responsibility is to give scientifically-based advice and prepare reports to veterinary and food authorities, farmers’ and consumers organisations, and international organisations such as EFSA and the EU Commission. I am editor of the annual report on antimicrobial resistance and consumption in Denmark (DANMAP), and have been project manager and author of several reports on zoonoses in EU.