Mitigating Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans
in Europe
​
Early Warning System
In the fight against Bsal, developing an early warning system is of the essence in delimiting cases of amphibian infection and avoiding further dissemination of disease. These are the aspects of the early warning system designed by the Bsal project.
Regional hotlines
Regional hotlines in the EU will be established. These hotlines will set up a passive surveillance system by spreading information about Bsal to regional stakeholders (e.g owners of captive collections) and collecting suspected cases of Bsal. This is currently under construction. Here you will find the contact information for the project partners for reporting dead or sick amphibians. The official websites of the partners can also be browsed.
EU Central Bsal Diagnostic Lab
Ghent University centralizes data about Bsal outbreaks and monitoring. We perform diagnostic qPCR and histopathology to confirm positive cases. If you want to add data, please contact An Martel (an.martel@ugent.be).
EU Network of Diagnostic Centres
We have begun establishing a network of diagnostic centres in the EU that are capable of diagnosing Bsal. Webinars and instruction videos on the aetiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, pathology, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Bsal will be available after subscription. This is currently under construction. Laboratories which have participated successfully in the the ring test for Bsal can be found here. If your lab is interested in participating in the the ring test, please contact us at bsalinfoeurope@gmail.com or using the contact form on this website.
European network of stakeholders
A European network of stakeholders will be set up, consisting of stakeholders (including NGOs) that will engage in reporting salamander/newt population declines. This is currently under construction.
