The European Research Infrastructure on Highly Pathogenic Agents (ERINHA) aims to develop an adequate and coordinated effort to address the challenges posed by the emergence or re-emergence of highly dangerous human and animal micro-organisms infecting humans, with high risks for public health, society and the economy. ERINHA seeks to reinforce the European capacities for the study of Risk Group 4 pathogens, enhance the coordination of Biosafety Level 4 (BSL-4) activities and give access to BSL-4 facilities to all interested European scientists by establishing a panEuropean distributed RI.

ERINHA encompasses basic research into pathogen isolation/characterisation, the pathogenesis of human diseases caused by dangerous microrganisms. It enables translational research to develop new counter measures including diagnostics, therapeutics and prophylactics and applied research to improve knowledge, skills and the evidence-base around high containment working practices.