The University Complutense of Madrid

The Veterinary Health Surveillance Centre (VISAVET)

The University Complutense of Madrid (UCM) is the largest, oldest (1494) and most complete University in Spain. UCM has two campuses with 20 faculties and 90.000 students. The Veterinary Faculty is the main and oldest Veterinary Faculty in Spain and the first to be approved by the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education (EAEVE). It holds one of the most important diagnostic units of infectious diseases and veterinary health surveillance Center (VISAVET), as well as a hospital for large and small animals. VISAVET-UCM Center is a team of professionals with over 25 years experience in Animal Health, Immunology and Food Safety. Currently, the main activities of VISAVET-UCM are related with the development of new diagnostic technologies, new vaccines, the study of bacterial and virus infections, molecular epidemiology, preventive medicine, eradication models for the control of animal diseases. VISAVET-UCM has facilities -BSL2 and BSL3 laboratories- for the performance of molecular biology work, clinical assays with animals, bacteriological and virological diagnosis including viral cultures, cell cultures and immunology techniques. VISAVET-UCM is OIE reference laboratory for African horse sickness and African swine fever, and European Union Reference Laboratory for Bovine Tuberculosis. VISAVET-UCM is the responsible for coordinating the Veterinary Surveillance Network of Resistance to Antibiotics (Red VAV) and the Health Surveillance Program of the Community of Madrid. Furthermore, it provides technical and laboratory support to all National Reference Laboratories and Spanish Veterinary Services (RASVE). During the 5 last year’s VISAVET- UCM has published 76 scientific papers and was involved in 25 research projects (National and International

Role in the project

WP 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 participant | Leadership of WP 2 | Conceptual surveillance framework development | Development of frameworks and tools for disease detection, freedom from disease and case detection | Development of evaluation framework | Facilitate communication with Spanish policy makers and other stakeholders | Facilitate access to Spanish data for case studies | Carry out case-studies on real data from the Spanish surveillance programme in WP 2, 3, 4 and 5 | Development of e-learning material and moderation of the discussions in the online support service for CAP and CAHP in WP 7.

Key-persons assigned to RISKSUR

Prof. José Manuel Sánchez-Vizcaíno

Graduated and PhD in Veterinary Sciences (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain) / Post-doctorate in immunology and virology (Cornell University, New York) / Worked for the Spanish National Institute for Agronomic Research (INIA) for almost 25 years, being the Chief Director of the Virology and Animal Health Departments, as well as of the Animal Health Research Centre (CISA). During this time, he helped the Veterinary Authorities of several countries to succeed in the fight against several notifiable diseases, earning an internationally recognized expertise / Currently Professor of Animal Health at UCM and OIE expert of the Reference Laboratory for African swine fever and African horse sickness/ Awarded with several prizes and medals in recognition of his services to the veterinary profession, in particular animal health and control of infectious diseases (OIE Merit Medal; Military Merit Cross; research prizes from several Swine Associations;among others)/ Doctor Honoris Causa by the University of Murcia/ Visiting Professor in Global Animal Health at Cornell University (New York). More information here.

Dr Marta Martinez Aviles

Graduated in Veterinary Sciences (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain) / MSc Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health (University of London, UK) / PhD in preventive medicine of emerging diseases (Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Spain) / Formerly worked as veterinary epidemiologist at VISAVET Centre (UCM, Madrid, Spain) and at the Spanish Animal Health Research Centre (CISA-INIA) in Valdeolmos  (Madrid, Spain) / Worked at the Epicentre (Massey University, New Zealand) as lecturer / Worked for the OIE Scientific and Technical Department (Paris, France) as veterinary epidemiologist / Currently employed as senior researcher at the Veterinary Faculty of the UCM (VISAVET Centre), continuing with the research line on preventive medicine of emerging diseases. More information here.

UCM_Vicente-Rubiano.pngPhD candidate Marina Vicente Rubiano.

Graduated in Veterinary Sciences (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain) / Master of Research in Veterinary Sciences (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain).

Currently researching emerging and endemic bee diseases from a molecular, immunological and epidemiological point of view that is the topic of her PhD. More information here.

PhD candidate Victor Rodriguez Prieto

Graduated in Veterinary Sciences (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain) / Master of Research in Veterinary Sciences (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain).

Currently researching the interface between domestic and wild animal diseases, both emerging and endemic, from a molecular, diagnostics and epidemiological point of view which is also the topic of his PhD. More information here.

Dr Beatriz Martinez Lopez

Former key person assigned to RISKSUR. Graduated in Veterinary Sciences (Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain)/ Master in Preventive Medicine (University of Davies, California)/ PhD in Epidemiology and Preventive Veterinary Medicine (UCM, Spain).

Worked as associated lecturer of Epidemiology at the Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU (Valencia, Spain) and held a postdoctoral position at the Institute of Research of Game Resources (IREC, Ciudad Real, Spain). Currently, Head of the Centre of Animal Disease Modelling (Davies, California).

Relevant ongoing international projects and contracts

RASVE: Risk assessment, modelling and continuous education for the National Surveillance Alert Network of the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture

OIE: Laboratory Twinning Contracts for ASF between UCM (OIE Reference Laboratory for ASF) and Central Veterinary Laboratory –Kabete (Kenya)

ASForce: Targeted research effort on African swine fever

RAPIDIA-Field: Rapid Field Diagnostics and Screening in Veterinary Medicine

Relevant Publications

  1. Rodriguez-Prieto, V.; Vicente-Rubiano, M.; Sánchez-Matamoros, A.; Rubio-Guerri, C.; Melero, M.; Martínez-López, B.; Martínez-Avilés, M.; Hoinville, L.; Vergne, T.; Comin, A.; Schauer, B.; Dórea, F.; Pfeiffer, D.U.; Sánchez-Vizcaíno, J.M. Review article: Systematic review of surveillance systems and methods for early detection of exotic, new and re-emerging diseases in animal populations. Epidemiol. Infect. DOI: 10.1017/S095026881400212X [In press]
  2. Pascual-Linaza AV., Martínez-López B., Pfeiffer DU., Moreno JC., Sanz C., Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. "Evaluation of the spatial and temporal distribution of and risk factors for Bluetongue serotype 1 epidemics in sheep Extremadura (Spain), 2007-2011". Prev Vet Med. DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2014.05.009 [Epub ahead of print].
  3. Martínez-López B., Barasona J.A., Gortázar C., Rodríguez-Prieto V., Sánchez-Vizcaíno J.M., Vicente J. "Farm-level risk factors for the occurrence, new infection or persistence of tuberculosis in cattle herds from South-Central Spain". Prev Vet Med. DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2013.11.002 [Epub ahead of print] .
  4. De la Torre A, Bosch J, Iglesias I, Muñoz MJ, Mur L, Martínez-López B, Martínez M, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. "Assessing the Risk of African Swine Fever Introduction into the European Union by Wild Boar". Transbound Emerg Dis. In press (Online 8/2013).
  5. De Diego AC, Sánchez-Cordón PJ, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. "Bluetongue in Spain: From the First Outbreak to 2012". Transbound Emerg Dis. In Press (Online 3/2013).
  6. Ivorra B., Martinez-Lopez B., Sanchez-Vizcaino JM., Ramos AM. "Mathematical formulation and validation of the Be-FAST model for Classical Swine Fever Virus spread between and within farms". Ann Oper Res. In Press. (Online 11/2012).
  7. Vicente-Rubiano M., Martínez-López B., Sánchez-Vizcaíno F., Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. "A New Approach for Rapidly Assessing the Risk of Aujeszky's Disease Reintroduction into a Disease-free Spanish Territory by Analysing the Movement of Live Pigs and Potential Contacts with Wild Boar". Transboun Emerg Dis. 61(4):350-61. 8/2014.
  8. Mur L., Martínez-López B., Costard S., de la Torre A., Jones BA., Martínez M., Sánchez-Vizcaíno F., Muñoz MJ., Pfeiffer DU., Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM., Wieland B. "Modular framework to assess the risk of African swine fever virus entry into the European Union". BMC Vet Res. 10(1):145. 7/2014
  9. Martínez-López B, Alexandrov T, Mur L, Sánchez-Vizcaíno F, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. "Evaluation of the spatial patterns and risk factors, including backyard pigs, for classical swine fever occurrence in Bulgaria using a Bayesian model". Geospat Health. 8(2):489-501. 5/2014.
  10. Ruiz-Fons F., Sánchez-Matamoros A., Gortázar C., Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. "The role of wildlife in bluetongue virus maintenance in Europe: Lessons learned after the natural infection in Spain". Virus research. 182: 50-8. 3/2014.
  11. Martínez-López B., Ivorra B., Fernández-Carrión E., Perez AM., Medel-Herrero A., Sánchez-Vizcaíno F., Gortázar C., Ramos AM., Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. "A multi-analysis approach for space-time and economic evaluation of risks related with livestock diseases: The example of FMD in Peru". Preventive Veterinary Medicine. 114(1):47-63. 4/2014.
  12. Sánchez-Matamoros A., Martínez-López B., Sánchez-Vizcaíno F., Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. "Social Network Analysis of Equidae Movements and Its Application to Risk-Based Surveillance and to Control of Spread of Potential Equidae Diseases". Transbound Emerg Dis. 60(5):448-59. 10/2013.
  13. Zientara S., Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. "Control of bluetongue in Europe". Vet Microbiol. 26;165 (1-2):33-7. 7/2013.
  14. Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM, Mur L, Martínez-López B. "African swine fever (ASF): Five years around Europe". Vet Microbiol. 26; 165 (1-2):45-50. 7/2013.
  15. Martínez-López B, Ivorra B, Ramos AM, Fernández-Carrión E, Alexandrov T, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. "Evaluation of the risk of classical swine fever (CSF) spread from backyard pigs to other domestic pigs by using the spatial stochastic disease spread model Be-FAST: The example of Bulgaria". Vet Microbiol. 165(1-2):79-85. 7/2013.
  16. Sánchez-Vizcaíno F, Martínez-López B, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. "Identification of suitable areas for the occurrence of Rift Valley fever outbreaks in Spain using a multiple criteria decision framework". Vet Microbiol. 165 (1-2):71-8. 7/2013.
  17. Costard S., Mur L., Lubroth J., Sanchez-Vizcaino JM., Pfeiffer DU. "Epidemiology of African Swine Fever Virus". Virus Res 173(1):191-7. 4/2013.
  18. Costard S., Jones BA., Martinez-Lopez B., Mur L., de la Torre A., Martinez M., Sanchez-Vizcaino F., Sanchez-Vizcaino JM., Pfeiffer DU., Wieland B.  "Introduction of African Swine Fever into the European Union through Illegal Importation of Pork and Pork Products". PLoS ONE 8(4): e61104. 4/2013
  19. Mur L., Martínez-López B., Gallardo C., Gortazar C. and Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. "Monitoring of African Swine Fever in the Wild Boar Population of the Most Recent Endemic Area of Spain". Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 59(6):526-31. 12/2012
  20. Rodríguez-Prieto V., Martínez-López B., Martínez M., Muñoz MJ., and Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. "Identification of suitable areas for West Nile virus outbreaks in equid populations for application in surveillance plans: the example of the Castile and Leon region of Spain". Epidemiology and Infection 140(9):1617-31. 9/2012.
  21. Mur L., Martínez-López B., Sánchez-Vizcaíno. "Risk of African swine fever introduction into the European Union through transport-associated routes: returning trucks and waste from international ships and planes". BMC Vet Res. 8:149. 8/2012.
  22. Rodríguez-Prieto V., Martínez-López B., Barasona JA., Acevedo P., Romero B, Rodriguez-Campos s., Gortázar C., Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM., Vicente J. "A Bayesian approach to study the risk variables for tuberculosis occurrence in domestic and wild ungulates in South Central Spain". BMC Vet Res 8(1):148. 8/2012.
  23. Sánchez-Vizcaíno F., Perez A., Martínez-López B., and Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. "Comparative Assessment of Analytical Approaches to Quantify the Risk for Introduction of Rare Animal Diseases: The Example of Avian Influenza in Spain". Risk Analysis 32(8):1433-40. 8/2012.
  24. Mur L., Martinez-Lopez B., Martinez M., Costard S., Wieland B., Pfeiffer DU. and Sanchez-Vizcaino JM. "Quantitative Risk Assessment for the Introduction of African Swine Fever Virus into the European Union by Legal Import of Live Pigs". Transboundary and emerging diseases. 59(2):134-44. 4/2012.
  25. Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM., Mur L., and Martínez-López B. "African Swine Fever: An Epidemiological Update". Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. Volume 59, Issue Supplement s1: 27-35. 3/2012.
  26. Martinez-Lopez B., Ivorra B., Ngom D., Ramos AM. and Sanchez-Vizcaino JM. "A novel spatial and stochastic model to evaluate the within- and between farm transmission of classical swine fever virus. II. Validation of the model". Veterinary microbiology. 155(1):21-32. 2/2012.
  27. Martínez-López B, Perez AM, Sánchez-Vizcaíno JM. “Identifying equine premises at high risk of introduction of vector-borne diseases using geo-statistical and space-time analyses”. Preventive Veterinary Medicine. 100(2) 100–108. 6/2011
  28. Martinez-Lopez B., Ivorra B., Ramos AM., Sanchez-Vizcaino JM. "A novel spatial and stochastic model to evaluate the within- and between farm transmission of classical swine fever virus. I. General concepts and description of the model". Veterinary microbiology. 147(3-4):300-9. 1/2011.
  29. Sanchez-Vizcaino F., Perez A., Lainez M. and Sanchez-Vizcaino JM. "Quantification of the risk for introduction of virulent Newcastle disease virus into Spain through legal trade of live poultry from European Union countries". Avian pathology. 39(6):459-65. 12/2010.
  30. Iglesias, I., Martínez, M., Muñoz, MJ., De La Torre, A., Sánchez-Vizcaíno, JM. "First Case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Poultry in Spain". Transboundary and Emegerging Diseases. 57(4):282-285. 8/2010.
  31. Martínez-López, B., Pérez, AM., Sánchez-Vizcaíno, JM. "A simulation model for the potential spread of foot-and-mouth disease in the Castile and Leon region of Spain". Preventive Veterinary Medicine. 96(1-2):19-29. 8/2010.
  32. Iglesias, I., Perez, AM., De la Torre, A., Muñoz, MJ., Martínez, M., Sánchez-Vizcaíno, JM. "Identifying areas for infectious animal disease surveillance in the absence of population data: Highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild bird populations of Europe". Preventive Veterinary Medicine. 96(1-2):1-8. 8/2010.
  33. Martínez, M., Pérez, AM., De la Torre, A., Iglesias, I., Sánchez-Vizcaíno, JM. "Evaluating surveillance in wild birds by the application of risk assessment of avian influenza introduction into Spain". Epidemiology Infection. 7:1-8. 7/2010.
  34. Iglesias, I., Perez, AM., Sánchez-Vizcaíno, JM, Muñoz, MJ., Martínez, M., De La Torre, A. "Reproductive ratio for the local spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in wild bird populations of Eurpe, 2005-2008". Epidemology and Infection. 14:1-6. 6/2010.
  35. Sánchez-Vizcaíno, F., Pérez, A., Lainez, M., Sánchez-Vizcaíno, JM. “A Quantitative Assessment of the Risk for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Introduction into Spain via Legal Trade of Live Poultry”. Risk Analysis. 30(5):798-807. 5/2010.

The RISKSUR project

This project has received funding from the European Union’s
Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development
and demonstration under grant agreement N° 310806