Director Bu Zhigao of the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute Visits China CDC for In-Depth Exchange on Zoonotic Disease Prevention and Control

On March 20, 2025, Bu Zhigao, Director and Research Fellow of the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (hereinafter referred to as “HVRI”), led a delegation to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (hereinafter referred to as “China CDC”) for a focused exchange on cooperation in zoonotic disease prevention and control. The delegation included Li Chengjun, Deputy Director and Research Fellow of HVRI; the Director of the Department of Scientific Research Management and International Cooperation; and expert representatives from the National High-Level Biosafety Laboratory for Animal Disease Control and Prevention, the Innovation Team for Major Zoonotic and Exotic Infectious Diseases, and the Innovation Team for Epidemiological Research and Integrated Control of Bacterial Animal Diseases. Li Qun, Deputy Director and Research Fellow of China CDC, attended the exchange, together with heads and expert representatives from relevant departments and institutes, including the Department of Infectious Disease Control, the Emergency Response Center, the Department of Science and Technology, the National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention.

 

Deputy Director Li Qun extended a warm welcome to Director Bu and his delegation. He emphasized that zoonotic disease prevention and control is a critical area of cross-sector collaboration, which should be guided by the “One Health” approach—integrating source control of animal diseases with the protection of human health. He noted that both sides should build on their existing foundation of cooperation to further integrate their strengths, strengthen joint surveillance networks, promote data and information sharing, and intensify joint scientific research efforts to address the challenges posed by emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

 

Director Bu Zhigao introduced HVRI’s technical strengths in basic research on major animal diseases and key zoonoses, vaccine development, and the construction of biosafety platforms. He expressed HVRI’s willingness to deepen cooperation with China CDC, promote the application and transformation of technologies for disease surveillance and control, and contribute to building a full-chain prevention and control system for zoonotic diseases.

 

During the meeting, experts from China CDC’s Department of Infectious Disease Control and Emergency Response Center presented an overview of the national situation and current efforts in zoonotic disease prevention and control, with a particular focus on the transmission risks of key zoonoses such as avian influenza, rabies, and brucellosis. Experts from both sides held in-depth discussions on topics including joint surveillance and data sharing, regular information reporting mechanisms, collaborative research on animal infection models and pathogen transmission mechanisms, the transformation of diagnostic reagents and vaccine outcomes, and cross-sectoral risk assessment and coordinated prevention and control.