Department

Short introduction

The key challenges in modern livestock farming are resource conservation, animal welfare, and animal health. The field of Infection and Environmental Hygiene is positioned at the interface between veterinary and human medicine.

The focus of research and student education is on maintaining animal health as well as the interactions between animal husbandry, humans, and the environment ("One Health"). The goal is, on the one hand, to stabilize the microbial status of the animal to minimize colonization by pathogens and, on the other hand, to prevent the introduction of pathogens through prophylactic measures. Additionally, the effects of animal husbandry on humans and the environment are investigated. The primary concerns are the spread of disease and zoonotic agents, as well as antibiotic resistance.

Environmental and animal hygiene combines classical analytical methods with modern molecular biological approaches. The development of integrated approaches in the areas of animal husbandry, animal hygiene, and environmental hygiene makes an important contribution to the development of sustainable, environmentally friendly, and future-proof livestock farming.