Food and Environmental Virology Network

Contact Information
Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Canada
fevn_rvae@hc-sc.gc.ca

Research Activity

With an increase in the prominence and importance of food and environmentally important viruses in recent years, there was a need to develop a specific medium through which important research issues related to these viruses could be identified, discussed and addressed.

The Food & Environmental Virology Network (FEVN) was launched to provide a platform through which information related to food and environmental viruses could be shared and exchanged. The network could also contribute towards organizing workshops, training sessions, meetings and working groups to facilitate collaborative research. Although the formation of FEVN was initiated by representatives from the Canadian Federal Government (Health Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency), as well as representatives from Canadian Universities, membership is open to professionals, nationally and internationally, working on or interested in food or environmental virology. FEVN has it own terms of reference, and a two-year term Chair.

FEVN seeks to link with other parties of similar interest and direction, both nationally and internationally, and represents Canada as a member country in the European Network for Environmental and Food Virology (COST 929).

Overall, FEVN aims to provide a platform for open scientific dialogue on food and environmental virology, and to foster collaboration and the exchange of data among FEVN members.

Current Activities

1. Genomic characterization of existing and emerging viruses of food and environmental significance
2. Molecular diagnostic methods development, harmonization, validation and standardization,
3. Survival and inactivation of viruses in foods and the environment,
4. Development of appropriate intervention strategies to control virus transmission occurring through contaminated food along the food chain, and
5. Development of guidelines and standards for the food continuum.

How to Join FEVN

Membership is open to those in government, academia and industry, nationally or internationally, who have worked on or are interested in food and environmental virology.

Responsibilities of FEVN Members:

• Participate in establishing and achieving Network objectives,
• Contribute to discussions and activities related to the Network,
• Serve as a liaison between the Network and their organization,
• Identify issues and contribute to agendas for meetings, and
• Participate with a spirit of cooperation.

To apply for membership, please e-mail the following information to the address below:

• Your name, title and organization,
• Your complete contact information,
• A description of your involvement in food or environmental virology (1-2 paragraphs maximum, plus any web link(s)), and
• 4-5 keywords.

Membership applications and inquiries may be sent to:

E-mail: fevn_rvae@hc-sc.gc.ca

Research Interests and Activities of FEVN Members

FEVN's Research interests focus on the following aspects:

1. Diagnostic test method development,
2. Genomic analysis
3. Emerging viruses, and
4. Virus transmission, survival and inactivation.

Directory of members in Canada

Other Related Links

1. Food Virology Laboratory
2. Food Virology Reference Centre
3. National Reference Centre for Food Virology
4. Norovirus
5. Hepatitis A
6. Food Microbial Research