Four new members joined the Scientific Council on Wednesday in charge of developing strategies to fight Covid-19 and its new variants.

An infectious disease specialist, a child psychiatrist, a geriatrician and ... a veterinarian.

With the aim of strengthening the multidisciplinary and global approach of consulting.

While vigilance remains in place around the Covid-19 epidemic in France, four new members were appointed Wednesday to strengthen the Scientific Council and help develop the government's strategy.

Among them, a veterinarian, Thierry Lefrançois, "specialist in integrated approaches and health networks at the Center for International Cooperation in Agricultural Research for Development", according to a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

In particular, it should provide another vision of coronaviruses, well known in animals.

Drawing inspiration from coronaviruses in animals

"When we ask ourselves questions about the transmission of the virus and how to manage this epidemic, it's interesting to have someone who will be able to bring their own perspective and make the link with different specialists", a- he explained on Europe 1.

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It is indeed for the veterinarian to bring a different expertise, and to allow the development of the interdisciplinary approach desired by the government.

"The objective is to be able to make the link with specialists in coronaviruses in animals or specialists in crisis management in the health / animal field. And this system will make it possible to increase our efficiency in seeking answers", continued Thierry Lefrançois, who also noted that "the Ministry of Culture has perhaps been confronted with more crisis throughout history than the Ministry of Health". 

"Interdependence between animals, humans and ecosystems"

A nomination supported and welcomed Wednesday on Twitter by the Minister of Agriculture, Julien Denormandie.

"The last decades have been marked by health crises which have often highlighted the interdependence between animals, humans and ecosystems", commented the Minister in a press release.

I welcome the appointment of Thierry Lefrançois, veterinarian, to the Scientific Council # COVID19.



This #OneHealth approach is essential and makes it possible to take into account the interactions between humans, animals and the environment.

https://t.co/fbDUUYynme

- Julien Denormandie (@J_Denormandie) February 17, 2021

The idea of ​​the presence of a veterinarian on this council was initially raised by LREM deputy Loïc Dombreval, who sent a letter to this effect to the Head of State last November, demanding that veterinarians be consulted. in the same way doctors to fight against Covid-19.

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The other three doctors to join the Scientific Council are an infectious disease specialist, Catherine Chirouze, a child psychiatrist, Angèle Consoli, and the president of the French Society of Geriatrics, Olivier Guérin.