ISMED-CLIM and IHMT NOVA Open Day: Connecting Climate, Health and Zoonotic Disease Prevention

On 8 May 2026, the Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, IHMT NOVA, held its Open Day in Lisbon. The event invited participants to learn more about IHMT NOVA’s work in global health and tropical medicine, including its research activities, clinical services, laboratories, museum, library and educational programmes. The programme also included practical experiences, guided visits and interaction with specialists.

The event provided a relevant setting to connect public engagement with the work of ISMED-CLIM, particularly the project’s activities in Portugal under Living Lab 4, focused on zoonotic diseases. Within ISMED-CLIM, LL4 is located in Lisbon and addresses climate-sensitive vector-borne disease risks, with a specific focus on sand fly-borne zoonotic diseases such as leishmaniasis.

This connection is closely aligned with IHMT NOVA’s focus on tropical medicine and global health. As climate change affects environmental conditions across the Mediterranean, it can also influence the presence, distribution and activity of disease vectors. ISMED-CLIM responds to this challenge through a One Health approach, linking human health, animal health and environmental factors.

In Lisbon, ISMED-CLIM’s LL4 work focuses on the feasibility and acceptance of an Early Warning and Response System and evidence-based prevention interventions for zoonotic disease risks. The Living Lab involves high-risk professionals and citizen groups, including veterinarians, dog shelter workers and volunteers, and dog owners. This work supports better awareness, prevention and preparedness in relation to climate-sensitive zoonotic diseases.

By connecting the themes of the IHMT NOVA Open Day with ISMED-CLIM’s LL4 activities, the project contributes to wider dialogue on how climate change can affect health in the Mediterranean region. It also helps bring research closer to professionals, students and the wider public, supporting better understanding of prevention, preparedness and One Health-based responses.