AiRisk
Project: AiRisk – Network on Infection Risk via Airborne Transmission
AiRisk: Dust as a Transmission Pathway in a One Health Context
Antimicrobial resistance is among the most pressing challenges for health, agriculture, and the environment. The research network AiRisk – Network on Infection Risk via Airborne Transmission, funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, investigates the role of dust as a potential transmission medium for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and zoonotic pathogens. The consortium pursues a One Health approach: the health of humans, animals, and the environment is understood as closely interconnected.
AiRisk combines expertise from microbiology, veterinary medicine, environmental science, modeling, and the social sciences. The network examines whether and under what conditions dust particles from livestock operations can take up microorganisms and resistance genes, transport them over longer distances, and influence their survival. Contaminated dust is characterized, and the data obtained are incorporated into models for spread and risk assessment. In parallel, the consortium investigates possible intervention measures, such as adapted disinfection procedures, and develops approaches for communicating the results to relevant authorities, the professional community, and the general public.
The network comprises partner institutions from research, authorities, and practice, including the Robert Koch Institute (RKI; coordination), Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center (FZB), Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research, Leipzig (TROPOS), the Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker Center for Natural Science and Peace Research (ZNF) at the University of Hamburg (UHH), and the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW). Duration: April 2026 to March 2031.
Subproject at ZNF: Risk and Crisis Communication Structure for a One Health Approach
At the Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker Center for Natural Science and Peace Research (ZNF) of the University of Hamburg, AiRisk is represented by a subproject on the development of a crisis communication concept. The project aims to contribute to improving prevention and effective response within the framework of infection control. It addresses the funding policy goals of the "Future Strategy for Research and Innovation of the Federal Government" (Mission III) as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3).
The focus is on the development of a sustainable and agile communication structure for risk and crisis communication. This takes into account both the population-based perspective and organizational efforts for pandemic prevention. The goal is effective communication between the various stakeholders, from surveillance authorities and decision-makers to the general public.
To this end, an integrated communication management system is being designed, which is tested and optimized through hypothetical scenarios. The results will be documented in a comprehensive handbook on communication structure, which will serve as a guide for all those involved. Through close cooperation with the RKI and the THW, the networking of infection research is strengthened and a contribution is made to the implementation of the One Health approach.
The ZNF contributes its experience at the interface of natural science, peace and security research, and societal risk and governance research. The results are intended to help ensure that research findings can be translated at an early stage into preparedness, crisis communication, and coordinated options for action.
Funding: Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR)
Duration: April 1, 2026 to March 30, 2031
Project: AiRisk – Network on Infection Risk via Airborne Transmission
Contact persons:
Dr. Gunnar Jeremias (Project Lead)
Dr. Dunja M. Sabra
Dr. Johannes L. Frieß