RNDr. Jiří Salát, Ph.D., and Mgr. Andrea Fořtová, Ph.D., were presented with the Minister of Health Award for an exceptionally successful project of the Czech Health Research Council titled ”Hidden zoonoses – uncovering new pathogenic agents from wildlife”.
The project was implemented by the Institute of Vertebrate Biology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (principal investigator: Prof. RNDr. Ivo Rudolf, Ph.D.) in collaboration with the Veterinary Research Institute, where RNDr. Jiří Salát, Ph.D., acted as a co-investigator.
The research focused on the detection and characterization of viruses and bacteria with potential risk of transmission to humans, particularly from blood-sucking arthropods, rodents, and bats. The project yielded significant insights in the field of prevention and early identification of emerging infectious diseases.
The ceremonial presentation of the award by the Minister of Health and the Chair of the Czech Health Research Council took place on 9 December 2025 in the representative premises of the Church of St. Anne in Prague.
