2015-2016 activity report -...

Contents

Presentation of our Research Group ......................................................... 3

Message from the Director .......................................................................... 4

Partnerships .................................................................................................... 5

Administration and Committees ................................................................. 6

Our Members ................................................................................................. 7

Student Members and Research Projects ................................................. 9

Achievements of our Research Members ................................................. 13

Scientific Outreach ....................................................................................... 29

Scientific Contributions and Publications .................................................. 32

3rd Symposium on Veterinary Public Health .............................................. 37

Les Échanges du GREZOSP .......................................................................... 38

Lucie-Dutil Award .......................................................................................... 39

Student Activities ........................................................................................... 40

GREZOSP Scholarship Program ................................................................... 41

Financial Statements .................................................................................... 42

Our Logo ......................................................................................................... 43

Cover page layout: Marie-Laure Le CarrePhoto credits: Marco Langlois, Nicholas Bachand, Marc Paré and Liliane Fortin

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Presentation of our Research Group

Our MissionThe primary mission of the GREZOSP is to provide a research and scientific activity infrastructure that is recognized, impartial and responsive to the multiple realities associated with public health issues related to the human-animal-environment interactions. The conceptual framework considers public health as a single healthcare concerning humans, animals as well as the environment, thus constituting a complex dynamic system.

ObjectivesThe objectives of the group's activities are:• Provide a meeting place as well as a reflection and structured work platform for researchers

and professionals whose main interest includes elements of the GREZOSP's mission;• Contribute to the advancement of knowledge on epidemiology and public health by studying

zoonotic disease agents in animal reservoirs, the environment and in human populations by the development and use of quantitative and qualitative measures;

• Recruit and mentor graduate students and postdoctoral fellows as well as contribute to the training of researchers and professionals working in the public health sector;

• Promote the impact of the group according to the GREZOSP's main research themes;• Encourage the cooperation between the group's members and colleagues of academic,

governmental and institutional affiliations at the regional, national and international levels.

Research Themes *

The work of GREZOSP members is structured within the following main research themes:• Role and impact of the agro-environment on zoonotic disease epidemiology• Wildlife zoonoses • Structures and methods for surveillance • Development of decision support tools for public health use

These themes are approached using the following methodology:• Mathematical modeling• Geomatics, spatial analysis and tele-epidemiology• Environmental microbiology• Epidemiological methods

* At the time of preparing the current activity report, the research themes were being revised by the Scientific Committee.

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Messagefrom the Director

I am writing a word as a director in this annual report for the last time. It is a great opportunity to express thanks and gratitude, especially to those members who take part in, and some of them for several years, in committees essential to the development of the group and the organization of activities at the centre of a research group’s life.

I would particularly like to recognize the work of Liliane Fortin whose professionalism, talents, commitment and character have greatly contributed to several achievements since she has been with the GREZOSP. A striking example is this activity report.

The last year was marked by the renewal of the partnership agreement between the GREZOSP and the Public Health Agency of Canada, the continuation of the agreement with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and finally the partnership agreement with the Institutnational de santé publique du Québec for the development of the Observatoire multipartite québécois sur les zoonoses et l’adaptation aux changements climatiques. These partnerships create a unique environment allowing successful cooperation between various collaborators. Moreover, you are invited, through the pages of this report, to discover our research group. Make the most of our website, which is in constant evolution (www.medvet.umontreal.ca/grezosp), to get to know our researchers.

In the following months, we will witness two important initiatives in the field of public health at the Université de Montréal: the transition of the Institut de recherche en santé publique (IRSPUM) into a interfaculty public health research center; a joint initiative from the Réseau de Recherche enSanté des Populations du Québec and the IRSPUM, in order to create a interuniversity public health network. If these two projects result as planned, the management and development of public health research at Université de Montréal should involve a greater number of scientists coming from several faculties. Members of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and especially GREZOSP members, thus have an opportunity to play a key role in the implementation of these projects, since an important element of the proposed network will include an “Environment-Health” strategic group and all levels of the University expressed the wish that this group be a fertile ground for the development of the “One Health” concept in Québec. The challenge is open and we are well positioned to take it on.

Carpe Diem!

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Partnerships

Renewal of the Agreement with the Public Health Agency of CanadaDuring the 2015-2016 academic year, the cooperation agreement between the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Université de Montréal was renewed for the years 2015-2020. This agreement will enhance the scientific and research capabilities in the field of epidemiology, zoonotic diseases and public health in a context of cooperation for the purpose of preventing and controlling zoonotic diseases of importance to Canada. The renewal of this agreement will allow the pursuit of our research activities under a same roof within the GREZOSP and improve the synergy, performance and efficiency of both the Agency’s and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine’s teams. We wish to thank all actors who participated directly or indirectly to the signature of this agreement, in particular: Pascal Michel, Nicholas Ogden, Marie-Josée Champagne for PHAC as well as Michel Carrier, dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sébastien Roy and Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt for the Université de Montréal.

Conclusion of an Agreement with the Institut national de santé publique du QuébecAs part of the establishment of the Observatoire multipartite québécois sur les zoonoses et l’adaptation aux changements climatiques, a cooperation and monitoring agreement has been concluded between the Institut national de santé publique du Québec and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (GREZOSP) for the years 2015-2017. Catherine Bouchard, research agent at GREZOSP ensures the coordination of this observatory in collaboration with Anne-Marie Lowe from the INSPQ. Several of our members are involved in the Observatory project as collaborators, in particular, Julie Arsenault, Benoît Lévesque, Ariane Massé, Isabelle Picard and Jean-Philippe Rocheleau. The conclusion of this agreement was made possible by the participation of Anne Kimpton and Anne-Marie Lowe from the INSPQ as well as Rachel Charbonneau and Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt from the Université de Montreal.

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Administration and Committees

Board of Directors

President

Michel CarrierUniversité de Montréal

Members

Denise BélangerUniversité de Montréal

Philippe BerthiaumePublic Health Agency of Canada

Pascal MichelPublic Health Agency of Canada

Jean-Pierre VaillancourtDirector of GREZOSPUniversité de Montréal

Executive CommitteeJean-Pierre VaillancourtDirector of GREZOSPUniversité de Montréal

Patrick LeightonUniversité de Montréal

Scientific CommitteeNicholas OgdenPublic Health Agency of Canada

Julie ArsenaultUniversité de Montréal

Philippe FravaloUniversité de Montréal

Jean-Philippe Rocheleau, StudentRepresentativeUniversité de Montréal

Farouk El AllakiCanadian Food Inspection Agency

Communications CommitteeJean-Pierre VaillancourtDirector of GREZOSPUniversité de Montréal

Marie-Josée ChampagnePublic Health Agency of Canada

Marie-Laure Le CarrePublic Health Agency of Canada

Liliane FortinUniversité de Montréal

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Our Members

Research MembersResearch Member : professor, university researcher or career scientist performing most of their research activities within the GREZOSP.

Julie ArsenaultUniversité de Montréal

Philippe BerthiaumePublic Health Agency of Canada

Michel Bigras-PoulinUniversité de Montréal

Philippe FravaloUniversité de Montréal

Emily JenkinsUniversity of Saskatchewan

Patrick LeightonUniversité de Montréal

Antoinette LudwigPublic Health Agency of Canada

Pascal MichelPublic Health Agency of Canada

Nicholas OgdenPublic Health Agency of Canada

Patricia TurgeonPublic Health Agency of Canada

Jean-Pierre VaillancourtUniversité de Montréal

Regular MembersRegular Member : professor, university researcher, career scientist or public health professional allowing part of their time and resources to the group’s projects.

Guy BeauchampUniversité de Montréal

Denise BélangerUniversité de Montréal

Catherine BouchardPublic Health Agency of Canada

Stéphanie BrazeauPublic Health Agency of Canada

Marie-Josée ChampagnePublic Health Agency of Canada

Sylvie D'AllaireUniversité de Montréal

Jocelyn DubucUniversité de Montréal

Farouk El AllakiCanadian Food Inspection Agency

John M. FairbrotherLaboratoire EcL, Université de Montréal

Cécile FerrouilletUniversité de Montréal

Philippe GachonUniversité du Québec à Montréal

Pierre GosselinInstitut national de santé publique du Québec

Rebecca A. GuyPublic Health Agency of Canada

Jules Konan KoffiPublic Health Agency of Canada

Serge-Olivier KotchiPublic Health Agency of Canada

Louise LambertDirection de santé publique -Montérégie

Benoît LévesqueInstitut national de santé publique du Québec

Julie ParéCanadian Food Inspection Agency

Manon RacicotCanadian Food Inspection Agency

Erin E. ReesUniversité de Montréal

Michelle TessierPublic Health Agency of Canada

André VallièresCanadian Food Inspection Agency

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Our Members

Ariane Adam-PoupartInstitut national de santé publique du Québec

Luc BergeronMinistère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec

Lea Berrang-FordMcGill University

Diane BoucherMinistère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec

Ann-Marie CochranePublic Health Agency Canada

Caroline CôtéInstitut de recherche et de développement en agroenvironnement

Geneviève CôtéMinistère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec

Danielle DaignaultPublic Health Agency of Canada

Julie DavidAgence nationale de sécurité sanitaire de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail (France)

Benjamin DelisleUniversité de Montréal

Julie Hélène FairbrotherMinistère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec -LEAQ

Marcelo GottschalkUniversité de Montréal

Josée HarelUniversité de Montréal

Andrée LafailleUniversité de Montréal

Marie-Ève LambertUniversité de Montréal

Anne LeboeufMinistère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec

Marie-Laure Le CarrePublic Healht Agency of Canada

Ariane MasséMinistère des Forêts, de la Fauneet des Parcs

François MilordDirection de santé publique -Montérégie

Pascale NéretteCanadian Food Inspection Agency

Soulyvane NguonInstitut national de santé publique du Québec / Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec

Yann PelcatPublic Health Agency of Canada

Isabelle PicardMinistère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec

Chantal ProulxMinistère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec

Gabriel RotaruPublic Health Agency of Canada

Alain RousseauInstitut national de la recherche scientifique

Sébastien SimardMinistère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation du Québec

Associated Members

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Student Members and Research Projects

Postdoctoral FellowsAudrey SimonUniversité de MontréalDirector : Patrick LeightonCo-director: Denise BélangerEpidemiological analysis of fox rabies in the North

Doctoral StudentsCécile AenishaenslinUniversité de MontréalDirector : Pascal MichelCo-director: André RavelThe importance of risk perception in risk management: a comparative study of the Lyme disease issue in Québec and Switzerland

Nicholas BachandUniversity of SaskatchewanDirector: Emily JenkinsEvaluation of the risk of Toxoplasmosis through the consumption of infected wildlife in the Canadian Arctic using a One-Health approach

Katie ClowUniversity of GuelphDirector: Claire JardineCo-director: Nicholas OgdenUnderstanding the influence of biotic and abiotic factors in Lyme disease ecology to predict the future distribution of endemic risk areas in Ontario, Canada

Maud de LagardeUniversité de MontréalDirector: John M. FairbrotherPrevalence and risk factors of rectal excretion of multiresistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains and ß-lactamase producing strains in the equine population of Canada

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Blanaid DonnellyMcGill UniversityDirector Léa Berrang-FordCo-director: Pascal MichelLivestock livelihoods and indigenous health vulnerability to climate change in KanunguDistrict, Uganda

Francine EssonoUniversité de SherbrookeDirector: Richard FournierCo-director: Pascal MichelProbabilistic modeling of microbial contamination of recreational waters: benefits of remotesensing, GIS and Weight of evidence method

Valérie HongohUniversité de MontréalDirector: Pascal MichelCo-director: Pierre GosselinAdapting vulnerable populations to health impacts linked to climate senistive infectiousdiseases

Samir MechaiUniversité de MontréalDirectorr : Nicholas OgdenCo-director: Pascal MichelPhylogeographic analysis reveals a complex population structure of Borrelia burgdorferi in Southern Canada

Hannah MunroMemorial University of NewfoundlandDirector: Andrew S. LangCo-directors: Hugh Whitney et Nicholas OgdenBiogeography of Borrelia garinii in Newfoundland and Labrador

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Marion RipocheUniversité de MontréalDirector: Patrick LeightonCo-directors: Nicholas Ogden and Antoinette LudwigEmergence of vector-borne diseases in Québec: the cases of Lyme disease and West-Nile virus

Jean-Philippe RocheleauUniversité de MontréalDirector : Pascal MichelCo-director: Julie ArsenaultThe risk of arboviral infections in residents of Quebec, 2013

Ludivine TaiebUniversité de MontréalDirector: Antoinette LudwigCo-directors: Dominique Bicout (Grenoble) and Carl GagnonStudy of reemergence mechanisms for West Nile Virus in Southern Québec, Canada

Student Members - EpidemiologyDenis HainePh.D. Candidate, Veterinary SciencesUniversité de MontréalDirector : Jocelyn DubucCo-director: Julie Arsenault

Ashique RahmanPh.D. Candidate, Veterinary SciencesUniversité de MontréalDirector: Jocelyn DubucCo-directors: Simon Dufour and David F. Kelton

Catarina KrugM.Sc. Student, Veterinary SciencesUniversité de MontréalDirector: Simon DufourCo-directors: Jean-Philippe Roy and Jocelyn Dubuc

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Masters StudentsCarine Michèle Andela AbessoloUniversité de MontréalDirector: Julie ArsenaultCo-director: Patricia TurgeonPublic health risk for Salmonella Dublin infection in milk-fed and grain-fed calves in Québec

Vanessa Gabriele-RivetUniversité de MontréalDirector: Julie ArsenaultCo-director: Nicholas OgdenEco-epidemiologic study of Francisella tularensis, the agent of tularemia in Québec

Maxime Gosselin-Théberge Université de MontréalDirector: Rebecca Guy Co-director: Julie ArsenaultQuantify and genotype Campylobacter in different water sources in a rural region of Southern Québec to better identify the potential risks to humans of acquiring diseasefrom the acquatic environment

Geneviève HuardUniversité de MontréalDirector: Jean-Pierre VaillancourtCo-director: Michele GuerinAssessment and mitigation of contamination risks: critical knowledge to reducediseases and increase biosecurity compliance

Marie-Ève TurcotteUniversité de MontréalDirector: Julie ArsenaultCo-director: Sébastien BuczinskiEpidemiological study on Coxiella burnetii in dairy cattle, ovine and caprine herds in two areas of Québec province

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Achievements of our Research Members

During the 2015-2016 academic year, our members’ research projects were the opportunity of successful collaborations. You will find below the highlights of some of their works.

Contamination of recreational waters with Campylobacter: what are the risks in Québec?Research team

Principal investigator: Rebecca A. Guy, Public Health Agency of Canada

Co-investigators :Julie Arsenault, Université de MontréalSerge Olivier Kotchi, Public Health Agency of CanadaMarie-Josée Champagne, Public Health Agency of CanadaPhilippe Berthiaume, Public Health Agency of CanadaEduardo Taboada, Public Health Agency of Canada

Masters Student:Maxime Gosselin-Théberge, Université de Montréal

In Canada, a Campylobacter infection is the first cause of bacterial gastro-enteritis and the most frequently notified reportable disease. It generates significant costs to society, in addition to being sometimes associated with severe sequelae in people affected. Poultry is considered as the principal reservoir of the bacteria; however, several other domestic and wild animal species can be colonized and constitute a potential source of contamination. Hence, surface waters can also be contaminated by bacteria, in particular through animal droppings or the discharge of waste water, or by the runoff waters from agricultural lands. Contact with bathing waters has been associated with an increased risk for campylobacteriosis, but this risk remains to be quantified.

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As a result, a major study was realized by a team composed of researchers from the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Université de Montreal in order to assess the contamination of Québec bathing waters with Campylobacter and identify characteristics of the beaches most subject to contamination. During three consecutive years, 413 water samples were collected from 29 beaches between June and August. The agricultural environment surrounding these beaches was characterized with the help of advanced technologies in remote sensing and geomatics.

Simultaneously, laboratory methods based on culture and qPCR have been developed to optimize detection and quantification of Campylobacter in an aquatic environment and assess their viability. Advanced statistic models were then used to evaluate the characteristics of beaches at higher risk for contamination. In total, 33.9% of water samples were found to be positive for C. jejuni and 49.7% (95% CI: 41.8, 57.6) for C. spp. However, the concentration was generally low. The level of contamination of water samples with C. jejuni and C. spp. showed significant variations between specific years and seasons. The risk of contamination with C. jejuni was higher for beaches situated less than 5 km from ruminant farms. Moreover, the risk was also higher in the presence of precipitations the day prior to sampling.

Molecular analysis has demonstrated that a proportion of isolates coming from this study were genetically similar to other isolates found in cases of campylobacteriosis elsewhere in Canada, which supports the likelihood of infectivity. This collaborative and multidisciplinary project has allowed a better characterization of the risk presented by recreational waters in Québec. This project concluded in 2015 by the submission of a scientific publication.

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Surveillance of bovine tuberculosis in farmed cervids in Canada: Demographic study and evaluation of surveillance sensitivity at the slaughterhouse, 2006-2014Research team

Principal investigator:Julie Arsenault, Université de Montréal

Co-investigators:Farouk El Allaki, Canadian Food Inspection AgencyPatrick Leighton, Université de MontréalNoel Harrington, scientific collaborator, Canadian Food Inspection AgencyVanessa Gabriele-Rivet, research assistant, Université de MontréalNestor Baraheberwa, intern, Université de Montréal

Within the framework of financing from the Canadian Regulatory Veterinary Epidemiology Network (CRVE-Net), a study on the surveillance at the slaughterhouse of bovine tuberculosis in farmed cervids in Canada was performed by the GREZOSP for the past two years.

As a first step, this study has allowed to paint a demographic portrait of the cervid farming industry by combining the data available from the industry, as well as from provincial and federal governments, combined with an investigation on the field performed especially for this project with the help of a questionnaire sent to all cervid breeders in Canada. The impact of data sources on the assessment of populations and subpopulations was also evaluated. As a second step, the sensitivity of the bovine tuberculosis surveillance system based on inspection of carcasses slaughtered in accredited facilities was assessed.

This project was realized in close collaboration between the Université de Montréal, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the industry. It has allowed providing evidence to guide future decisions regarding the surveillance program for bovine tuberculosis in farmed cervids, which remains an important concern for the sector and the Federal government. This project concluded in 2016 with the wiring of a scientific report. The writing of a scientific publication based on the key results is projected for the upcoming year.

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The risk of arboviral infections in Québec residents Research team

Principal investigator : Jean-Philippe Rocheleau, PhD candidate, Université de Montréal

Co-investigators :Pascal Michel, Public Health Agency of CanadaJulie Arsenault, Université de MontréalNicholas Ogden, Public Health Agency of CanadaL. Robbin Lindsay, Public Health Agency of CanadaMichael Drebot, Public Health Agency of CanadaAntonia DiBernardo, Public Health Agency of CanadaAnne Fortin, Institut national de santé publique du Québec

The introduction of the West Nile Virus (WNV) in Canada in 2001 highlighted the potential of emergence for arboviral diseases north of the 45th parallel. While the arboviral activity of WNV has relatively been well studied in Québec during the past ten years, very little information was available concerning the activity of other arboviruses in Québec and the distribution of infection risk until recently. Moreover, environmental factors influencing this risk were not clearly defined.

Upon undertaking this research project, signs of arboviral activity were detected in horses for eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) and Canadian serological data suggested that some California serogroup viruses (CSV) might be active in southern Québec. In order to better define the risk of exposure to these arboviruses in Québec and to outline high-risk environments, a series of serological studies were undertaken in order to quantify exposure for humans as well as for two domestic species which may potentially play a sentinel role for the surveillance of arboviral activity in Québec: dogs and horses.

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Individual and environmental factors associated with the risk have been modeled in each of the species from serological data and clinical data when available, in particular data on clinical cases of WNV in humans and data on clinical cases of EEE in horses.

The study has shown high arboviral activity for CSV: close to 20% of human subjects sampled were seropositive and this percentage was almost of 80% in horses. Arboviralactivity was lower for WNV (0.6% seropositive subjects in humans) while only some horses (7%) were seropositive to EEEV. As for dogs, close to 3% were seropositive for WNV while this proportion was of 12% for CSV.

The study has also shown the particularity of environments at risk for each of the studied arboviruses, the risk of exposure being higher in forest areas for CSV, higher in agricultural zones and potentially in suburban areas for WNV and higher when close to treed wetlands for EEEV.

This study has demonstrated the potential of serology in domestic animals as a surveillance tool for emerging arboviral diseases and has shown that multi-species studies could help in better characterizing the risk of exposure and better understand the geographical variations of the risk for public health purposes. This project is in progress and should lead to the publication of a series of four scientific articles.

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Lyme disease in Québec and CanadaThe collaborations on the subject of Lyme disease have been numerous during the 2015-2016 academic year. Here are the highlights of these surveillance and research projects.

Research Team

Ariane Adam-Poupart, Institut national de santé publique du QuébecCécile Aenishaenslin, Université de Montréal Julie Arsenault, Université de MontréalDenise Bélanger, Université de MontréalCatherine Bouchard, Public Health Agency of CanadaHélène Déry, Université de Montréal Marie-Christine Frenette, Université de Montréal Vanessa Gabriele-Rivet, Université de MontréalJulie Gervais, Université de MontréalValérie Hongoh, Université de MontréalJules Konan Koffi, Public Health Agency of CanadaMarie-Claude Lacombe, Direction de la santé publique des LaurentidesPatrick A. Leighton, Université de MontréalRobbin L. Lindsay, Public Health Agency of CanadaAntoinette Ludwig, Public Health Agency of CanadaSamir Mechaï, Université de MontréalPascal Michel, Public Health Agency of CanadaFrançois Milord, Institut national de santé publique du QuébecNicholas H. Ogden, Public Health Agency of Canada Yann Pelcat, Public Health Agency of CanadaBastien Pradel, Université de MontréalAndré Ravel, Université de MontréalMarion Ripoche, Université de MontréalJade Savage, Université BishopKayley Smith, Université de MontréalKarine Thivierge, Laboiratoire de santé publique du Québec

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Surveillance Projects

The establishment and progression of ticks in Quebec is actively monitored in the field (i.e. active surveillance) through a collaborative project between Université de Montréal, INSPQand PHAC in 70 sites across 10 health regions in Québec. In addition, a pilot project targeting the Laurentides region was initiated to explore the northern boundary of tick distribution by monitoring 36 sites in a south-north transect with the cooperation of the Direction de santé publique des Laurentides.

The scope of geographical distribution of ticks is also determined by passive surveillance. A geotracking project of all Canadian passive surveillance data is in progress. In order to better identify zones at risk and risk levels for Lyme disease in Québec, a project for the enhancement of passive surveillance data and the development of passive surveillance indicators was launched in 2015.

The cumulative data from both active and passive surveillance has allowed developing and/or updating risk maps for Lyme disease in Québec (INSPQ) and Canada (PHAC). Moreover, a pilot project in collaboration with PHAC and Université de Montréal has allowed the integration of active surveillance data and social determinants (i.e. adopting preventive behaviors) to develop a new risk map for an endemic zone in Québec, namely the Montérégie region.

Surveillance and tracking of human cases of Lyme disease in Montérégie was the subject of a study in 2015. A clinical portrait and a portrait of risk factors associated with Lyme disease are in progress by analyzing the data of population bitten by Ixodes scapularis ticks in Québec. A detailed and cumulative analysis of the practices of general practitioners in Québec regarding diagnosis and management of patients bitten by ticks in Québec between 2008 and 2015 is also performed simultaneously.

The participative entomological surveillance project (eTick.ca) allowing the identification of ticks from a photograph has continued in 2015 through the participation of 41 veterinary clinics in Québec. In 2016, eTick aims for the participation of the general public to submit pictures of ticks. This project is a result of a strong collaboration between PHAC, Bishop University, the Laboratoire de santé publique du Québec and INSPQ.

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Research Projects

Research project titles of GREZOSP’s graduate students and researchers for 2015-2016 include:

Modelling:

• Comparative study of the distribution of Ixodes scapularis and Borreliaburgdorferi in southern Québec between 2007 and 2014 (i.e. analysis of associated climate and environmental factors)

• Spatial disparity of tick distribution in southern Québec: analysis of tick density at various geographic scales (between parks and within parks) and associated environmental factors

• Investigation of ecological niches for Ixodes scapularis with a focus on New Brunswick

• Risk modelling for ticks vectors of Lyme disease in the Prairie provinces

Genetics:

• Analysis of the genetic diversity of Borrelia burgdorferi in Canada

• Genotyping B. burgdorferi : establishing a database of B. burgdorferi strains from active surveillance data in Québec and Canada

• Genetic diversity: discovering new strains of B. burgdorferi non-existent in the U.S.A. but specific to certain regions of Canada, namely southern Manitoba, Long-Point in Ontario, southern Québec, Nova Scotia in the Maritimes

• Phylogenetic analysis: highlighting the possible local origin (refuge zone) of B. burgdorferi in Canada other than by introduction from the U.S.A. with the help of migrating birds

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• Host-pathogen association: studying the historical evolution of B. burgdorferi in Canada has revealed an unsuspected role of small mammals other than as a reservoir for B. burgdorferi, specifically some strains would have preferences for certain rodent species

• Modelling the spread of B. burgdorferi strains in the Montérégie region: highlighting the role of small mammals in the spread of B. burgdorferfi on a local scale

Risk analysis and prevention:

• International comparative analysis of awareness, risk perception and preventive behavior for Lyme disease in Montérégie (Québec) - Neuchâtel (Switzerland)

• Adaptation and evaluation of the multiple criteria decision analysis model for the prevention of Lyme disease in Switzerland and Manitoba

• Canadian investigation on the awareness and preventive behaviors regarding Lyme disease

• Group of experts on tick-borne diseases of INSPQ’s Scientific Committee on zoonotic diseases and climate change adaptation : participation of several GREZOSP members

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Biology of mosquito populations and risk of transmission of vector-borne diseasesInterrelated works were performed during the 2015-2016 academic year on the theme of the mosquito population’s biology and its consequences on public health.

1) Impact of larviciding on adult mosquito populations in southern Québec

This project has been conducted as part of the Ph.D. studies of Marion Ripoche in cooperation with the INSPQ. The co-directors of Marion are Prof. Patrick A. Leighton from the Université de Montréal and Drs. Antoinette Ludwig and Nicholas Ogden from the Public Health Agency of Canada (ASPC). This project’s analysis were performed on data collected in 2014 by the INSPQ (Céline Campagna and Samuel Onil), within the framework of the provincial surveillance program for West Nile Virus (WNV) in Québec. In addition to the effect of larviciding on populations of the Culex pipiens-restuans species complex, principal vectors of WNV in Québec, which was previously demonstrated by the INSPQ, we were able to highlight that this effect was exacerbated by the presence of heat islands and catch basins.

2) Determinants of re-emergence of West Nile Virus (WNV) in Québec and Ontario and impact of climate change on this re-emergence

These works concur with the Ph.D. project of a new student, Ludivine Taieb, who joined our team in January 2016. This Ph.D. is in co-supervision with France: Ludivine’s directors are Dr. Antoinette Ludwig from PHAC and Prof. Carl Gagnon from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Université de Montréal, as well as Mr. Dominique Bicout (Université Grenoble-Alpes, France). This project intends to investigate, by a mathematical modelling approach, hypotheses that could explain the recurring re-emergence of WNV in Québec and in Ontario. These hypotheses include the role of the virus (and its potential for genetic mutation), of hosts (such as migrating birds coming from endemic regions for WNV), of vectors (mosquitoes), of the environment, as well as climate which has an impact on the dynamics of all the various actors in this cycle.

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Moreover, in order to better understand the relationships between mosquitoes and their hosts and allow us to correctly calibrate the link between the “mosquito” and “bird” compartments in the mathematical model on WNV dynamics, a study to identify the origin of blood meals of a hundred engorged female mosquitoes from the Culex pipiens/restuansspecies complex is in progress. Engorged female mosquitoes were collected in southern Québec between 2008 and 2014. The identification of the blood meal origin is performed with the approach developed by Dr. Goudarz Molaei, from the Center for Vector Biology and Zoonotic Diseases of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. The analysis is performed by Dr. Mahmood Iranpour, in cooperation with Drs. Robbin Lindsay, Antonia Dibernardo and Michael Drebot, from PHAC’s National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg.

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Veterinary Public Health in Northern Québec and Labrador Research Team

Principal Investigators:

Patrick Leighton, Université de MontréalEmily Jenkins, University of Saskatchewan

Co-investigators:

Philippe Gachon, Université du Québec à MontréalAlvin Gajadhar, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, retired; University of SaskatchewanStéphane Lair, Université de MontréalNicolas Lecomte, Université LavalFrancis Lévesque, Université du Québec en Abitibi-TémiscamingueDawn Marshall, Memorial University of NewfoundlandNicholas Ogden, Université de MontréalAndré Ravel, Université de MontréalCraig Stephen, University of Saskatchewan - Canadian Wildlife Health CooperativeHugh Whitney, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, à la retraite; MemorialUniversity of Newfoundland

Collaborators:

Denise Bélanger, Université de MontréalDominique Berteaux, Université du Québec à RimouskiMario Brisson, Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social ServicesBrent Dixon, Health CanadaChristine Fehlner-Gardiner, Canadian Food Inspection AgencyJosiane Houle, Université de MontréalPauloosie Kasudluak, Community of InukjuakBenoit Lévesque, Centre de Recherche du Centre hospitalier de l'Université Laval

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Ariane Massé, Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des ParcsPeter May, Nunavik Research CentreSusan Nadin-Davis, Canadian Food Inspection AgencySusan Nulukie, Nunavik Research CentreStas Olpinski, Makivik CorporationIsabelle Picard, Ministère Agriculture, Pêches et Alimentation (MAPAQ)Erin Rees, Université de Montréal; Land and Sea Systems AnalysisManon Simard, Makivik Corporation

Students/ Post-doctoral Fellows

Cécile Aenishaenslin, post-doctoral fellow, Université de MontréalThaneah Alanazi, M.Sc. student, Memorial University of NewfoundlandNicholas Bachand, Ph.D. student, University of SaskatchewanEmilie Bouchard, Ph.D. student, University of SaskatchewanHélène Déry, M.Sc. student, Université de MontréalAlexander Flynn, undergraduate student, Memorial University of NewfoundlandMarie-Christine Frenette, M.Sc. student, Université de MontréalMarion Jalenques, Ph.D. student, Université de MontréalIsabelle Lachance, undergraduate student, Université de MontréalMathilde Mercat, Ph.D. student, Université de MontréalFrançois-Nicolas Proulx, undergraduate student, Université de MontréalRajnish Sharma, Ph.D. student, University of SaskatchewanAudrey Simon, post-doctoral fellow, Université de Montréal

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The major part of research activities takes place within the framework of a project on wildlife diseases important to public health in Nunavik and Labrador (ArcticNet Project 2015-2018). Wildlife is treasured for its cultural, nutritional, economic and ecological value by the northern communities in Canada. While wildlife brings several benefits in terms of food security, it can however pose some risks to human health as it may be a source of zoonotic pathogenic agents. The rapid rate of climate warming in the Arctic, in particular in the subarctic, is a significant force in the evolution of ecosystems having a potential impact on the ecology of wildlife diseases and human exposure to these diseases.

Structure of the ArcticNet Project

The project, financed for three years within the framework of Phase IV of ArcticNet, aims to assess the current health risks presented by wildlife diseases for subarctic communities (community consultation and testing for diseases in hunted wildlife), and to estimate the impact of rapid regional change on these health risks (modelling). Several members of the GREZOSP and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine take part in this multidisciplinary and multiorganizational project. It is divided in four phases which are part of several student projects: transmission of toxoplasmosis and thichinellosis through traditional diet (food safety), modelling of toxoplasmosis and rabies as well as impacts of climate change on human exposure, fox genetics and risk of rabies in communities, transmission of wildlife rabies (foxes) to dogs and humans.

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Figure 1: Diagram of project thematic working groups and associated HQP. GREZOSP members are in bold.

Sampling and community consultation activities (2015-2016)

Hunted meats in 3 Nunavik communities are currently being analyzed for toxoplasmosis and trichinellosis, with a focus on wildlife species suspected to be involved in transmission: ringed seals, ptarmigans and Canada geese. Consultations have also been carried out in these communities to assess perceptions of parasites in hunted wildlife and practices. Under the coordination of the Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, trapped arctic and red foxes in 4 communities in Nunavik, 3 communities in Nunatsiavut and 2 communities in southern Labrador will be analyzed for genetics but also for rabies, toxoplasmosis and trichinellosis. Simultaneously, fox sampling for genetics is being conducted in Abitibi since 2014 and has been extended to 5 Cree communities this year. In partnership with local organizations, consultations with Kuujjuaq community members are currently being conducted to assess dog-wildlife-human interactions and better understand exposure routes and risks for both dogs and humans with wildlife. This last part is integrated in a global ecohealth project with the main objective of identifying issues related to dogs, finding solutions and supporting interventions to improve the wellbeing and health of the Kuujjuaq community members to the human-dog-environment interface.

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Figure 2: Sampling and community consultation activities in Northern Québec and Labrador

For the purpose of modelling the spread of rabies in northern Québec and in Labrador, the adaptation of a spatio-temporel model, used for racoons (“Ontario Rabies model”), for the arctic fox species (“Arctic Rabies Model”, ARM) is currently in progress. Genetic sampling of foxes from north to south will allow understanding movement structures and identifying natural barriers for the spread of rabies in Québec and Labrador. This data will also be used as validation data for ARM.

Year-1 results and community consultations suggest that the risk presented by wildlife diseases is real and present in all community partners, but that risk perception varies widely between individuals and communities. It will be important to establish a continued surveillance of human exposure to wildlife diseases on a multi-year basis, which would provide important information for public health management as well as the opportunity to discuss and integrate risk management for wildlife diseases in regional communities.

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Scientific Outreach

The Prix d’excellence Vétoquinol pour la recherche was awarded to Philippe Fravalo in acknowledgement of his efforts for training graduate students in veterinary sciences. This prize was awarded to him by the dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Michel Carrier, during the Cérémonie des prix et bourses 2014-2015 on February 5th, 2016

Valérie Hongoh, Ph.D. student under the direction of Pascal Michel, won a Hillman Student Award for her poster presentation entitled “Decision aid for improved prioritization of climate sensitive infectious disease” during the 22nd Canadian Conference on Global Health which took place in Montréal on November 5-7, 2015.

Serge Olivier Kotchi was invited on November 25, 2015 to the lunch-conference of ACFAS-Sudbury at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario. He presented a seminar entitled: “Suivi des déterminants de la santé et évaluation des risques de santé publique à l'aide de la télédétection: Cas des déterminants environnementaux reliés aux maladies d’origine hydrique’’. On February 23, 2016, Serge Olivier was invited to meet, at Université Laval in Québec City, scientists from the Centre de recherche en géomatique (CRG) in order to set up collaboration with the purpose of developing new tele-epidemiology projects on and training modules. He presented a seminar entitled “Déterminants environnementaux de la santé et évaluation des risques reliés aux maladies vectorielles: Apports de la télédétection et des sciences de l’information géographique’’.

In February 2016, Patrick Leighton obtained financing from the INSPQ for a research project involving several scientists from the GREZOSP as well as other organizations (Catherine Bouchard, Jean-Philippe Rocheleau, Cécile Aenishaenslin, Nicholas H. Ogden, Robbin L. Lindsay, Guylaine Séguin, Isabelle Laurion) for a pilot project entitled : “Évaluation d’un nouveau traitementacaricide oral chez les micromammifères comme une intervention locale pour réduire le risquede la maladie de Lyme au Québec”.

In the spring of 2015, Antoinette Ludwig obtained financing from the Institut national de santé publique du Québec to support the writing a grant application. These funds were used to write and submit a research project on modelling West Nile Virus within the framework of CIHR’s Live Pilot Competitions – March 2016. This application was prepared in collaboration with several GREZOSP researchers: Prof. atrick Leighton, Dr. Nicholas Ogden, Philippe Berthiaume and Stéphanie Brazeau. These funds also allowed supporting the completion of a pilot study on the analysis of the blood meal origin of engorged female mosquitoes collected in Québec between 2008 and 2014, in collaboration with Drs. Robbin Lindsay and Mahmood Iranpour from the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg.

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Scientific Outreach

In the fall of 2015, Dr. Ludwig participated in a workshop on Anylogic software modelling for one week in Paris. While there, she took the opportunity to meet her French collaborators, in particular Dr. Dominique Bicout as well as her new graduate student Ludivine Taieb. Ludivine arrived in Québec on January 5, 2016 to complete a Ph.D. on the theme of determinants of West Nile Virus re-emergence in Québec. Dr. Ludwig also participated to several grant applications on the theme of vector-borne diseases in Canada, such as: “Caractérisationgénomique et analyse spatio-temporelle de la distribution des arbovirus circulant au Québec: 2003-2015”. This application, in collaboration with Dr. Christian Therrien from the Laboratoire de santé publique du Québec, was selected for financing in February 2016 by the Institutnational de santé publique du Québec.

Dr. Pascal Michel, co-founder of GREZOSP and adjunct professor with the department of pathology and microbiology has been named Chief Science Officer at the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) on November 16, 2015. Holding a Ph.D. in epidemiology (University of Guelph), a Master of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (University of California, Davis) and a doctorate of veterinary medicine (Université de Montréal), Dr. Michel has acquired a significant scientific background from his career path with Agriculture Canada, Health Canada as well as several years with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). He has several years of experience in providing scientific services as well as in epidemiology research and biostatistics research. This experience has allowed him to lead the scientific infrastructure of the Agency, namely the implementation and promotion of the Agency’s global scientific program and the Framework for excellence in science and research.

Dr. Nicholas Ogden assumes the acting Directorship of Public Health Risk Sciences Division (PHRS) of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) following the appointment of Dr. Pascal Michel (the previous Director and co-founder of GREZOSP) to the position of Chief Science Officer of PHAC. The appointment of Pascal to this eminent position is a testament of the scientific creativity of GREZOSP. The acting Directorship position has been hectic because the two main laboratories of PHAC, the Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses (LFZ) and National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) have been fused into one organisation, and now all of the laboratories, including the PHAC Saint-Hyacinthe unit are part of the National Microbiology Laboratory. This has proven an exciting time as now the PHRS Division is intimately connected with all the Divisions of the NML (which includes the groups and laboratories in Guelph and Winnipeg) providing epidemiological, modelling, geomatics, risk analysis and knowledge synthesis services and technology in research collaborations. This can only increase the opportunities for university staff to collaborate with scientists at NML in the context of GREZOSP.

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Scientific Outreach

Dr. Nicholas Ogden was invited to make presentations at numerous conferences and meetings including the American Society of Tropical medicine & Hygiene, INSPQ’s Journées annuelles de santé publique, and seminars of Environment Canada, and Canadian (St Francis Xavier, UQAM) and US universities (Hostra, Clarkson). Dr. Nicholas Ogden was invited to, and facilitated sessions at, a CIHR “Best Brains Exchange” on climate change and health. Regarding Lyme disease in the context of climate change adaptation, Dr. Ogden was invited to participate in literature reviews on climate change and tick-borne and vector-borne diseases, including a chapter entitled “Health” in the US National Climate Assessment. Finally, he received several invitations to present during various conferences on climate change and infectious diseases.

In the fall of 2015, Dr. Antoinette Ludwig, Serge Olivier Kotchi and Stéphanie Brazeau participated to the organization of a tele-epidemiology session for the Living Planet Symposium 2016 of the European Space Agency taking place in Prague in May 2016. Serge Olivier and Stéphanie will present the following works for which the summaries were accepted : Serge Olivier Kotchi, Stephanie Brazeau, Antoinette Ludwig, Guy Aube, Philippe Berthiaume. Earth Observation and Indicators Pertaining to Determinants of Health - Applied to West Nile Virus in Eastern Canada. Living Planet Symposium 2016, Prague, Czech Republic, 9-13 May 2016, http://lps16.esa.int/page_session102.php; Stephanie Brazeau, Serge Olivier Kotchi, Antoinette Ludwig, Patricia Turgeon, Yann Pelcat, Guy Aube, Nicholas Ogden. Tele-epidemiology and Public Health in the Canadian Context. Living Planet Symposium 2016, Prague, Czech Republic, 9-13 May 2016. Living Planet Symposium 2016, Prague, Czech Republic, 9-13 May 2016, http://lps16.esa.int/page_session102.php.

Within the framework the Federal government’s financing for “Climate Change Adaptation”, Serge Olivier Kotchi, Dr. Antoinette Ludwig, Stéphanie Brazeau and Dr. Nick Ogden, submitted two projects: 1) “Environmental/Remote-sensed early warning indicators of MBD risk”, and 2) “Earth observation indicators development for local characterization of Lyme disease risk factors”.

On August 13, 2015, Dr. Jean-Pierre Vaillancourt participated to a debate in Montreal organized by Les sceptiques du Québec on the question of the animal rights. The title of the debate was “Doit-on cesser de manger des animaux?”. He was also a guest speaker to the conference of the Société Française Santé et Environnement which took place at the Hôtel de ville de Paris, on November 24-25, 2015 where he presented a conference entitled : “L'émergence des maladies infectieuses associées au changement climatique : Défis ruraux et urbains”.

On March 8, 2016, Dr. Vaillancourt gave a series of presentations on epidemiology, biostatistics and zoonotic diseases as part of a training module of the World Veterinary Education in Production Animal Health at the Free University of Berlin. Finally, Dr. Vaillancourt was named president of the Association des vétérinaires en industrie animale du Québec during its last meeting on November 20, 2015.

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Scientific Contributions and Publications

Book Chapters

Beard, C.B., R. J. Eisen, C. M. Barker, J. F. Garofalo, M. Hahn, M. Hayden, A. J. Monaghan, N. H. Ogden, P. J. Schramm. Vectorborne Diseases. In: Climate and Health Assessment. U.S. Global Change Research Program; 2016. Sous presse.

Simon A., D. Bélanger, P. Leighton. Mouvement du virus de la rage au Nunavik et au Labrador. Rapport final pour le Gouvernement de Terre-Neuve Labrador; 2015. 60 p.

Simon, A., M. Jalenques, E. Rees, P. Leighton, D. Bélanger. La rage du renard en relation avec le développement du nord et les changements climatiques. Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux; 2015. 25 p.

Publications

Adam-Poupart, A., F. Milord, K. Thivierge. Proposition d’un programme pour la surveillance intégrée de la maladie de Lyme et des autres maladies transmises par la tique Ixodes scapularis au Québec: mise à jour 2015. Québec : Institut national de santé publique du Québec, 2015. ISBN (électronique): 978-2-550-74827-4.

Aenishaenslin, C., L. Gern, P. Michel, A. Ravel, V. Hongoh, F. Milord, J.P. Waaub, D. Bélanger. Adaptation and evaluation of a multi-criteria decision analysis model for Lyme disease prevention. 2015; PLoS One 10(8): e0135171, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0135171.

Aenishaenslin, C., L. Gern, P. Michel, A. Ravel, F. Milord, J.P. Waaub, D. Bélanger. Acceptability of tick control interventions to prevent Lyme disease. BMC Public Health. 2016; 16(12):1-10, doi: 10.1186/s12889-015-2629-x.

Asrar, F.M., S. Asrar, J. B. Clark, D. J. W. Kendall, T. J. Ngo-Anh, S. Brazeau, P. Hulsroj, R. S. Williams. Help from above: outer space and the fight against Ebola. The Lancet Infectious Diseases. 2015; 15(8); 873-875, doi: 10.1016/S1473-3099(15)00153-X.

Barton-Forbes, M., E. Leonard, L. R. Lindsay, J. M. Langley, J. K. Koffi, N. H. Ogden. Tick bites in the Lyme light: New CPSP Lyme Survey. Paediatrics & Child Health. 2015; 20:237-238.

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Bouchard, C., E. Leonard, J. K. Koffi, Y. Pelcat, A. Peregrine, C. Chilton, K. Rochon, T. Lysyk, L. R. Lindsay, N. H. Ogden. The increasing risk of Lyme disease in Canada. Canadian Veterinary Journal. 2015; 56:693-699.

Boulianne, M., J. Arsenault, D. Daignault, M. Archambault, A. Letellier, L. Dutil. Drug use and antimicrobial resistance among Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. isolates from chickenand turkey flocks slaughtered in Quebec, Canada. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research. 2016; 80(1):49-59.

Clow, K., N. H. Ogden, L.R. Lindsay, P. Michel, D. Pearl, C. Jardine. Distribution of ticks and the risk of Lyme disease and other tick-borne pathogens of public health significance in Ontario, Canada. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. 2016;16(4):215-22. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2015.1890.

Donnelly, B., L. Berrang-Ford, N. A. Ross, P. Michel. A systematic, realist review of zooprophylaxisfor malaria control. Malaria Journal. 2015; 14:313, doi: 10.1186/s12936-015-0822-0.

Eisen, R., L. Eisen, N. H. Ogden, C. B. Beard. Linkages of Weather and Climate With Ixodesscapularis and Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae), Enzootic Transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi, and Lyme Disease in North America. Journal of Medical Entomology. 2016; 53(2): 250-261. doi: 10.1093/jme/tjv199.

Ferrouillet, C., F. Milord, L. Lambert, A. Vibien, A. Ravel. Practices of family physicians in south-western Quebec regarding Lyme disease. Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases and Medical Microbiology. 2015; 26(3):151-6.

Gabriele-Rivet, V., J. Arsenault, J. Badcock, A. Cheng, J. Edsall, J. Goltz, J. Kennedy, L. R. Lindsay, Y. Pelcat, N. H. Ogden. Different ecological niches for ticks of public health significance in Canada. PLoS ONE. 2015; 10(7), e0131282, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0131282.

Gabriele-Rivet, V., J.-H. Fairbrother, D. Tremblay, J. Harel, N. Côté, J. Arsenault. Prevalence and risk factors for Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Coxiella burnetii and Newcastle diseasevirus in feral pigeons (Columba livia) in public areas of Montréal, Canada. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research, 2016; 80(1):81-85.

Gabriele-Rivet, V., N.H. Ogden, A. Massé, K. Antonation, C. Corbett, A. Dibernardo, L. R. Lindsay, P.A. Leighton, J. Arsenault. Eco-epidemiologic study of Francisella tularensis, the agent of tularemia, in Québec. Journal of Wildlife diseases. 2016; 52(2): 217-29. doi:10.7589/2105-04-096.

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Gaucher, M. L., S. Quessy, A. Letellier, J. Arsenault, M. Boulianne. Impact of a drug-free program on broiler chicken growth performances, gut health, Clostridium perfringens and Campylobacter jejuni occurrences at farm level. Journal of Poultry Science. 2015; 94(8):1791-1801. doi:10.3382/ps/pev142.

Généreux, M., M.-J. Breton, J. M. Fairbrother, P. Fravalo, C. Côté. Persistence of indicator and pathogenic microorganisms in broccoli following manure spreading and irrigation with E. coli-contaminated water: field experiment. Journal of Food Protection. 2015; 78(10):1776-84. doi: 10.4315/0362-028X.

Jahanbakhsh, S., K.P. Kabore, P. Fravalo, A. Letellier, J.M. Fairbrother. Impact of medicated feed along with clay mineral supplementation on Escherichia coli resistance to antimicrobial agents in pigs after weaning in field conditions. Research in Veterinary Science. 2015 Oct;102:72-9. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2015.07.014.

Jenkins, E., A. Simon, N. Bachand, C. Stephen. Wildlife parasites in a One Health world. Trends in Parasitology. 2015; 31(5):174-80. doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2015.01.002.

Kotchi, S. O., S. Brazeau, P. Turgeon, Y. Pelcat, J. Légaré, M.-P. Lavigne, F. Nzang Essono, R. A. Fournier, P. Michel. Evaluation of Earth Observation Systems for Estimating Environmental Determinants of Microbial Contamination in Recreational Waters. IEEE Journal Of Selected Topics In Applied Earth Observations And Remote Sensing. 2015; 8(7):3730-3741, doi: 10.1109/JSTARS.2015.2426138.

Kulkarni, M., L. Berrang-Ford, P. Buck, M. Drebot, L. R. Lindsay, N. H. Ogden. Major emerging vector-borne zoonotic diseases of public health importance in Canada. Emerging Microbes & Infection. 2015; 4(6): e33, doi: 10.1038/emi.2015.33.

Larivière-Gauthier, G., S. Quessy, S. Fournaise, A. Letellier, P. Fravalo. Different stainless-steel types for equipment do not affect the initial microbial transfer from pork skin including pathogens. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research. 2015 Jul;79(3):255-9.

Longpré, J., J. Fairbrother, P. Fravalo, P. LeBel, J. Arsenault, B. Laplante, C. Surprenant, D. Massé, A. Letellier. Impact of mash feeding versus pellets on propionic / butyric acid levelsand on total E. coli load in the gastrointestinal tract of growing pigs. Journal of Animal Science. 2016. 94:1053–1063, doi:10.2527/jas2015-9617.

Ludwig, A., H. S. Ginsberg, G. J. Hickling, N. H. Ogden. A dynamic population model to investigate effects of climate and climate-independent factors on the lifecycle of the tick Amblyomma americanum. Journal of Medical Entomology. 2015; 53(1):99-115, doi: 10.1093/jme/tjv150.

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Mechai, S., G. Margos, E. J. Feil, L. R. Lindsay, N. Barairo, N. H. Ogden. Evidence for host-genotype associations of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto. 2016. Plos One. 11(2):e0149345, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0149345.

Mechai, S., G. Margos, E. J. Feil, L. R. Lindsay, N. Ogden. Complex Population Structure of Borreliaburgdorferi in Southeastern and South Central Canada as Revealed by PhylogeographicAnalysis. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 2015; 81(4):1309-1318. doi: 10.1128/AEM.03730-14.

Milord, F. Attention! Risque de zoonoses au passage d’animaux. Médecin du Québec. 2015; 50(8):15-19.

Ogden, N. H., I. K. Barker, C. M. Francis, A. Heagy, L. R. Lindsay, K. A. Hobson. How far north are migrant birds transporting the tick Ixodes scapularis in Canada? Insights from stable hydrogen isotope analyses of feathers. Ticks & Tick Borne Diseases. 2015; 6:715-20. doi: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2015.06.004.

Ogden, N. H., E. J. Feil, P. A. Leighton, L. R. Lindsay, G. Margos, S. Mechai, P. Michel, T. J. Moriarty. Evolutionary aspects of emerging Lyme Disease in Canada. Applied & Environmental Microbiology. 2015; 81(21):7350-9, doi: 10.1128/AEM.01671-15.

Ogden, N. H., J. K. Koffi, L. R. Lindsay, S. Fleming, D. C. Mombourquette, C. Sanford, J. Badcock, R. R. Gad, N. Jain-Sheehan, S. Moore, C. Russell, L. Hobbs, R. Baydack, S. Graham-Derham, L. Lachance, K. Simmonds, A. N. Scott. Surveillance for Lyme disease in Canada, 2009-2012. Canada Communicable Disease Report. 2015; 41:132-145.

Ogden, N. H., L. R. Lindsay, S. W. Schofield. Methods to prevent tick bites and Lyme disease. Clinics in Laboratory Medicine. 2015; 35:883-899.

Ogden, N. H., L. R. Lindsay, S. W. Schofield. Review of methods to prevent and manage tick bites for the purpose of reducing risk of Lyme disease. Canada Communicable Disease Report. 2015; 41:146-153.

Plamondon, M., F. Milord. Encéphalite à arbovirus : on vous donne la piqûre! Médecin du Québec. 2015; 50(8):39-44.

Simon, A., A. Hurford, N. Lecomte, D. Bélanger, P. Leighton. Tracking the frequency and the intensity of rabies outbreaks in the Arctic: the transmission epidemiological dynamics of its reservoir host, the arctic fox. Polar Research. 2016. Accepted.

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Springer, Y.P., D. Hoekman, P.T. Johnson, P. Duffy, B.F. Allan, B.R. Amman, C.M. Barker, R. Barrera, C.B. Beard, L. Beati, M. Begon, M.S. Blackmore, W.E. Bradshaw, D. Brisson, C.H. Calisher, J.E. Childs, M.A. Diuk-Wasser, R.J. Douglass, R. Eisen, D.H. Foley, J.E. Foley, H.D. Gaff, S.L. Gardner, H.S. Ginsberg, G.E. Glass, S.A. Hamer, M.H. Hayden, B. Hjelle, C.M. Holzapfel, S.A. Juliano, L.D. Kramer, A.J. Kuenzi, S.L. LaDeau, T.P. Livdahl, J.N. Mills, C.G. Moore, S. Morand, R.S. Nasci, N.H. Ogden, R.S. Ostfeld, R.R. Parmenter, J. Piesman, W.K. Reisen, H.M. Savage, D.E. Sonenshine, A.A. Swei, M.J. Yabsley. Vector and pathogen sampling designs for the National Ecological Observatory Network. 2016. Ecosphere. In press.

Thibodeau, A., P. Fravalo, E. N. Taboada, S. Laurent-Lewandowski, É. Guévremont, S. Quessyand A. Letellier. Extensive characterization of Campylobacter jejuni chicken isolates to uncover genes involved in the ability to compete for gut colonization. BMC Microbiology. 2015 May 10;15:97. doi: 10.1186/s12866-015-0433-5.

Thibodeau, A., P. Fravalo, E. Yergeau, J. Arsenault, A. Letellier. Chicken caecal microbiome modifications induced by Campylobacter jejuni colonization and by a non-antibiotic feed additive. PLoS ONE. 2015; 10(7), e0131978, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0131978.

Trigui, H., A. Thibodeau, P. Fravalo, A. Letellier, S. P. Faucher. Survival in water of Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from the slaughterhouse. SpringerPlus. 2015; 4:799. DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1595-1.

Vaillancourt, J.-P., N. Ogden. L'émergence des maladies infectieuses associées aux changements climatiques: Défis ruraux et urbains. Revue Environnement, Risques et Santé. In press.

Yusa, A., P. Berry, J. J. Cheng, N. Ogden, B. Bonsal, R. Stewart, R. Waldick. Climate Change, Drought and Human Health in Canada. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2015; 12: 8359-8412, doi:10.3390/ijerph120708359.

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3rd Symposium on Veterinary Public HealthAugust 28th 2015

The third edition of the Symposium on Veterinary Public Health organized jointly by the Research Group on Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health (GREZOSP) and the Microprogrammes en santé publique vétérinaire took place on Friday, August 28th, 2015, at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.

Emerging infectious agents, wildlife zoonoses, food safety… Health issues at the human-animal-environment interface are complex and the need to develop innovative approaches to tackle them is urgent. How to promote the use of science to improve policies as well as preventive and control programs? Which innovations promote governance tailored to the issues of veterinary public health?

These were the questions discussed during this one-day symposium entitled “Approches innovantes: Vers une meilleuregouvernance en santé publique vétérinaire”. This symposium was open to all with the purpose of encouraging networking between practitioners, researchers and students.

The symposium featured four presenters: Dr. Ana Riviere-Cinnamond (Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO)), Dr. Craig Stephen (Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative), Dr. Sylvain Quessy (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal) and Patrick Fafard (Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa).

Left to right: Patrick A. Leighton, Liliane Fortin, Kathleen Laberge, André Ravel, Audrey Simon, Cécile Aenishaenslin, Catherine Bouchard, Craig Stephen, Ana Riviere-Cinnamond and Patrick Fafard (photo credits: Marc Paré).

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Les Échanges du GREZOSP

The Échanges du GREZOSP are weekly meetings taking place at the Agora of the Pavillon de santé publique vétérinaire. The discussion activities include presentations by GREZOSP members or guest speakers as well as journal club sessions (review and discussion of an article suggested by a member). The calendar for the Échanges du GREZOSP is available online and accessible to all members via our website’s home page.

During the 2015-2016 academic year, the GREZOSP is proud to have featured several guest speakers, including:

- Brian F. Leydet, Jr., M.P.H., Ph.D., Trudeau Institute, Saranac Lake, New York;- Anne-Marie Lowe, biol., M.Sc., Scientific Advisor – Zoonotic Diseases, Institut national de

santé publique du Québec;- Robert Kasisi, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Faculty of Environmental Design, Université de

Montréal;- Dr. François Caya, Head of Regional Activities Department, World Organization for Animal

Health (OIE); - Jakob Zinsstag, DVM, Ph.D., Dip. ECVPH, Professor and Deputy head of department,

Department of epidemiology and public health (EPH) (Swiss TPH)- François Cavayas, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Geography, Université de Montréal and

Yves Baudouin, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Geography, Université du Québec à Montréal;

- Philippe Gachon, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Geography, Université du Québec à Montréal;

- Dre Jette Christensen, DVM, Ph.D., Epidemiologist, Animal Health Science Directorate, Canadian Food Inspection Agency;

- Marie-Laure Escudero, Lab Director, Richard Vadeboncoeur, Director, Business Development and Christian Brousseau, Director, Science and Technology, GDGEnvironnement.

Creation of the Échanges du GREZOSP Planning Committee

The Échanges du GREZOSP are an important knowledge translation and dissemination activity for the GREZOSP. Hence, for these meetings to be diversified, it is paramount to plan the calendar of events and seminars to be presented by our members or guest speakers as well as articles to be discussed at journal club sessions. In order to ensure an enriched program, a committee was established with the following members: Ariane Adam-Poupart, Catherine Bouchard, Marie-Christine Frenette, Liliane Fortin, Antoinette Ludwig, Marie-Laure Le Carre, Patrick Leighton, Mathilde Mercat, Marion Ripoche, Audrey Simon and Ludivine Taieb.

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Lucie-Dutil Award

The Lucie-Dutil Award, created in memory of Dr. Lucie Dutil (1965-2011), a much appreciated colleague and friend, aims to support a M.Sc. or Ph.D. student, or a postdoctoral fellow, member of the GREZOSP, in acknowledgement of their remarkable contribution to our research group through their human qualities.

For the 2015-2016 academic year, the Lucie-Dutil Award was presented to Audrey Simon by the ad hoc committee appointed by the GREZOSP’s Executive Committee. Audrey Simon is a postdoctoral fellow at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Université de Montréal. Her research is focused on veterinary public health in the subarctic region of Eastern Canada and the impacts of environmental change.

This award underscores the remarkable contribution of Audrey to the life of our research group, in particular by her involvement in several aspects while promoting team work, professional and social commitment, respect for others and integrity.

Detail of the sculpture by Michael Bergstaller representing the Lucie-Dutil Award (photo credits: Liliane Fortin)

Dr. Lucie Dutil (1965-2011) obtained her diploma at Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Université de Montréal in 1988. She completed her academic training with a residency in livestock medicine and surgery. After a few years of veterinary practice in the Bois-Francs region, she returned to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine to complete her Masters in epidemiology (1991-1994) and work as a project manager in research and development for goat and beef cattle. In September 2002, Lucie took the position of epidemiologist and chief analyst for Public Health Agency of Canada’s Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS). Her contribution to the implementation and development of CIPARS during the following years was exceptional.

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Student Activities

24 heures de science

On May 8th, 2015, Cécile Aenishaenslin, Catarina de Noronha Krug Marques Da Sil, Valérie Hongoh, Marion Jalenques, Samir Mechai, Marion Ripoche, Jean-Philippe Rocheleau and Kayley Smith, all epidemiology students at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and most of them GREZOSP members, presented a workshop entitled “Maladie de Lyme et rage: comment se protéger?” as part of 24 heures de science, an event recognized and supported by UNESCO aiming to promote meetings between scientists and the general public. This activity was also part of the Foire des sciences de l’Université de Montréal. Outreach and education activities on Lyme disease and rabies gave rise to a great deal of interest from the public, especially children. More than 100 people visited the kiosk.

Left to right: Kayley Smith, Audrey, Simon, Samir Mechai, Catarina de Noronha Krug Marques Da Sil, Jean-Philippe Rocheleau, Cécile Aenishaenslin, Marion Ripoche and Valérie Hongoh.

Workshop meetings

Workshop meetings have the purpose of promoting discussions and sharing of expertise between GREZOSP researchers and students. Researchers select a subject for the talk according to their interests, activities and reflections and interact with students on this theme. Among the researchers who have participated in this activity in 2015-2016:- Denise Bélanger (May 2015) : A career in research- Antoinette Ludwig and Philippe Berthiaume (November 2015): Mathematical modelling:

definition, general principles, concepts and approaches- Patrick Leighton (February 2016): Innovative approaches to university teaching

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GREZOSP Scholarship Program

In June 2015, our Scientific Committee revised the GREZOSP Scholarship Program implemented in 2014 in order to make the eligibility conditions more flexible and provide for the possibility of recruitment scholarships. For the 2015-2016 academic year, ten GREZOSP student members benefited from this scholarship program.

GREZOSP Financial Assistance and Recruiting Scholarships

The GREZOSP offers financial assistance and recruiting scholarships through its program intended for students of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Université de Montréal in order to promote GREZOSP research activities.

To be eligible, students must be enrolled in a masters or doctoral program in veterinary sciences at the Université de Montréal, his or her director must be a research or regular member of GREZOSP and the research project must be within the framework of the GREZOSP’s mission and objectives.

The purpose of these financial assistance scholarships, of a maximum amount of $6,000, is to allow students to reach an amount of funding equal to $20,000 annually for a masters student, and $23,000 annually for a doctoral student.

GREZOSP Conference Scholarships

These scholarships, offered by the GREZOSP, aim to support a masters or doctoral student in order to encourage them to present the results of their research project through an oral presentation at a scientific meeting or symposium.

The amount awarded will cover transportation, lodging and registration fees up to an amount of $2,000 upon presentation of supporting documents.

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Financial Statements

Financial Statements from May 1st 2015 to March 31st 2016*

Sources of Funding

Expenses

Balance for Previous Financial Year (2014-2015) $76,294 Annual Funding under PHAC Agreements (April 30 2015)

$80,741

Funding under CFIA Agreement – April 1 2015 to March 31 2016

$20,000

Total $177,035

Salaries $49,256 GREZOSP Scholarships (recruiting, financial assistance and conferences)

$25,649

Student Activities and Meetings $3,144 Lucie-Dutil Award (scholarship and installation) $4,297 Scientific Workshops and Journées du GREZOSP - GREZOSP Annual Symposium $5,817 Travel Expenses - Reception and Representation $856 Web Site – Design and Maintenance $1,206 Telecommunications $278 Office Supplies and Fees $531 Printing Fees $800 Maintenance and Renovation $17,746

Expenses Total $109,580

*Note: The 2015-2016 Financial Statements are based on a 11-month period in order to align dates with thoseof the GREZOSP’s major partners’ financial year.

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Our Logo

From the original design by Marie-Laure Le Carre, executive assistant at the Public Health Agency of Canada and associate member of GREZOSP, this concept was finalized with the cooperation of the Bureau des communications et des relations publiques de l’Université de Montréal and approved by our Executive Committee.

The logo’s concept, design, colors and font were each discussed as the creation process evolved.

The selected colors, green and blue, are representative of the health sector. Green, a color associated with the environment, symbolizes health, nature and hope. Blue is an official color of the Université de Montréal and emphasizes our research group’s attachment to the university institution.

The primary purpose of the arrow design is to symbolize the « G» in GREZOSP; it then became iconic for a better readability. The color gradation and the motion of the arrow point out the progress made through ideas as well as the knowledge acquired by the association of the two entities. This arrow points towards the result: the GREZOSP.

The two circles recall a Venn diagram as well as cells representing PHAC and Université de Montréal; they also illustrate the human-animal-environment relationship. These circles overlap, symbolizing the discussions and exchanges, and are crossed by the GREZOSP’s arrow which enhances this reflexion.

The GREZOSP acronym is off-centre in order to capture the attention and the letters «SP» for «santé publique» (public health) stand out further aiming the scope of action. Adding a rectangle in the background further highlights the «GREZOSP» name.

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To Contact Us:

Research Group on Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health (GREZOSP)

Telephone: 450-773-8521, ext. 8386

Email: [email protected] the web: http://www.medvet.umontreal.ca/grezosp

Postal Address:3200, rue Sicotte, P.O. Box 5000Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 7C6

Office Address:3190, rue SicotteSaint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M1

2015-2016 activity report -...

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