Prevention and Control of Zoonotic Hepeviruses

WG3 focuses on preventing and reducing the transmission of zoonotic hepeviruses through coordinated control measures spanning farms, food systems, the environment, and public health. The group develops evidence-based guidelines for farm management, wildlife and hunting practices, food safety, and risk communication, while contributing to vaccine evaluation and infectivity research.

Key activities include assessing risk factors at farm level, in hunting areas, and across environmental settings; evaluating transmission risks linked to animal products and foods of non-animal origin; and developing updated protocols for food handling, processing, and culinary practices. WG3 also collaborates with WG2 to review vaccine safety and efficacy and standardizes cell culture protocols for infectivity analysis across laboratories. To support implementation and knowledge exchange, WG3 will deliver targeted workshops and public-facing educational materials to enhance food safety and risk awareness.