The call by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is an attempt by the agency to formulate the most cost-effective best practice in combating food-related illnesses. Once the information is collected, EFSA will search for trends in the data and advise the European Commission, which sets food safety targets.
Virus outbreaks, including Toxoplasma gondii and Echinococcus, can be transmitted from animals reared to humans.
Instances of zoonoses in humans have fallen in the EU since 2004, according to EFSA, but the impact of zoonotic agents can be severe, causing disability and death in some instances.
EFSA also called for proposals to tackle zoonoses. These include deciding when samples should be taken, and what size they should be.
EFSA will then develop schemes to address Echinococcus, Trichinella, Cysticercus and Sarcocystis.
EFSA has set a limit of €180,000 to fund proposals and will issue grants up to 80 per cent of the project costs, provided the overall limit is not exceeded. All projects must be completed within 12 months.
According to EFSA there are about 400, 000 human cases of zoonoses reported each year. Most of the cases were foodborne and associated with mild to severe intestinal problems.
By far the most frequently reported zoonotic diseases in humans are salmonellosis and campylobacteriosis, with the most deadly being listerious, according to an European Commission study published in 2005.
The EU's new zoonoses directive 2003/99/EC became effective 12 June 2004. Reporting according to the new rules started with data collected during 2005.
Member states have been asked to submit reports by 31 May, with replies given no later than 6 July 2007.
