Delta Life 12

21 DELTARES, OCTOBER 2019 – another word for teams – with the members meeting every month. There are also interactive brainstorming sessions attended by all the teams to ensure that we get all the input and that we can always work together to identify the right approach.' Is that an unusual approach in your field? And what do you expect from the other parties? 'A lot of research has already been done but the trick is to collect all that knowledge by bringing together the right "brains". We are combining medically-oriented expertise and knowledge about water management, citizen science, mosquitoes and birds. The exceptional thing here is that we do actually meet frequently rather than, as is usually the case, allowing every- body to do their own particular job and send in the research results. We expect parties to share insights continuously and to respond to each other. We want to really work together and be in a posi- tion to adjust our plans on the basis of the initial results so that we can make major leaps forward.' Are you already seeing possible outcomes or practical applications for the future? 'Advances in our understanding during the course of the research may already result in preventive measures. Take climate change and biodiversity, for example. If we discover that we can al- ready recommend steps in these areas that will reduce the risk of virus out- breaks in the future, we won't hesitate to do so. And once we have identified the tipping points, it will be possible to predict the risk of an outbreak in a sort of rain radar, and take preventive or mitigation measures.' Deltares and health in the delta 'The possible spread of diseases by, for example, mosquitoes is an important field for Deltares', says Eline Boelee, researcher at Deltares. 'In order to continue living and working in deltas in the future, we are investigating a range of natural solutions for river and coastal areas. In the Netherlands, but also through­ out the world. The extent to which these solutions will even­ tually reduce the risks to our health is still unknown. Take an increase in the number of mos­ quitoes and therefore the spread of diseases such as the West Nile and Zika viruses. Our involve­ ment in this research means that we will be able to determine the tipping point for measures relating to these potential risks. We combine qualitative and quantitative environmental data, including the data we obtain from citizen science, with knowledge about insects and microbiology. In that way, climate change, changing land and water management, eco­ logy and, above all, the effects on insects that spread diseases can be integrated in the adap­ tation strategy.' For more information: eline.boelee@deltares.nl The Netherlands Centre for One Health (NCOH) NCOH is an alliance between nine academic research insti­ tutes in the Netherlands that focuses on the theme of One Health. The aim is to establish an integrated approach to the planetary risks of infectious diseases and to develop sus­ tainable solutions for major social challenges in the fields of ani mal and public health, health y wildlife and ecosystems, ncoh.nl 'Mosquitoes are the biggest problem worldwide'