ECDC: On Air

Public health podcast | Avian influenza | H5N1 | Pandemic preparedness---Avian influenza continues to pose a challenge for animal and public health. While the current risk to the general public in Europe remains low, the widespread circulation of H5N1 viruses in birds and other animals highlights the importance of preparedness.In this episode of ECDC: On Air, we are joined by ECDC experts - Angeliki Melidou and Katriina Willgert, who give us a lowdown on the current avian influenza situation in Europe, the factors that could change the risk to humans, and how countries are preparing for potential human cases.The discussion explores why avian influenza viruses are monitored so closely, what scientists look for when assessing pandemic potential, and why surveillance, early detection and the One Health approach are essential for reducing the risk of wider spread.The episode also looks at ECDC's preparedness framework for avian influenza, which supports European countries in assessing different scenarios and planning proportionate public health measures before sustained human-to-human transmission occurs.---In this episode: avian influenza, H5N1, pandemic preparedness, One Health, influenza surveillance, zoonotic influenza, risk assessment, early detection, public health preparedness, vaccines, antivirals and ECDC's preparedness framework.---➡ Learn more about avian influenza on ECDC pages here: https://bit.ly/4onkYbL➡ ECDC preparedness framework for avian influenza: https://bit.ly/43pCFhv---#AvianInfluenza #H5N1 #PublicHealth #OneHealth #PandemicPreparedness

Public health podcast | Tick-borne diseases | Lyme disease | Tick-borne encephalitis
Tick-borne diseases affect thousands of people in Europe every year, and changes in the environment are influencing where ticks can be found and how long they remain active.

In this episode of ECDC: On Air, we talk with ECDC expert Esther Kukielka-Zunzunegui about the growing public health importance of tick-borne diseases, including Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE).

The discussion explores how ticks transmit infections, where the risks are changing across Europe, and why awareness and prevention are essential for reducing the impact of these diseases.

The episode also looks at practical steps people can take to protect themselves from tick bites and explains why surveillance and preparedness remain important as tick-borne diseases continue to evolve in Europe.
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➡ Learn more about tick-borne diseases on ECDC pages here: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/tick-borne-diseases
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In this episode: tick-borne diseases, Lyme disease, Lyme borreliosis, tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), tick bite prevention, vector-borne diseases, disease surveillance, climate and health, and infectious diseases in Europe.

#TickBorneDiseases #LymeDisease #TickBorneEncephalitis #PublicHealth #VectorBorneDiseases

What can wastewater reveal about the spread of infectious diseases?
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In this episode of ECDC: On Air, microbiologists Theresa Enkirch and Maximilian Riess explain how analysing wastewater can help scientists detect pathogens shed by populations and monitor trends in infections across communities.
The discussion explores how wastewater surveillance complements traditional disease monitoring, how it is being implemented across Europe, and how new technologies may expand its role in detecting future health threats.

➡ Learn more about wastewater surveillance here.
➡ ECDC Framework on wastewater-based surveillance.

Interested in ECDC in general? Visit our portal ⁠ecdc.europa.eu⁠ or follow us on ⁠social media⁠ for the latest news!
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Topics: wastewater surveillance, infectious disease monitoring, environmental surveillance, epidemiology, public health.

Tuberculosis remains a significant public health challenge in Europe, despite often being considered a disease of the past.

In this episode of ECDC: On Air, tuberculosis expert Senia Rosales-Klintz explains the current reality of TB, how the bacteria can remain dormant for years, and how it primarily affects vulnerable populations.

The episode also explores social stigma, challenges in accessing newer treatments, and the critical role of tracking patient outcomes in eliminating the disease.
 
Click here for more information on World Tuberculosis Day, and here for more information in general about ECDC.

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In this episode of ECDC On Air, we speak with ECDC's Helena de Carvalho Gomes - Deputy Head of Unit for Scientific Evidence and Communication, and former clinician in obstetrics and gynaecology, about the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in cervical cancer and how vaccination and screening can prevent the disease.
Drawing on her clinical experience, she reflects on changes in cervical cancer prevention over the past 25 years and on the impact of HPV vaccination and screening in reducing pre-cancerous lesions and cancer risk among women.We also discuss why sustained vaccination programmes and regular cervical screening (Pap smear or Papanicolaou test) remain essential for reducing cervical cancer across Europe and moving towards its elimination.

Want to know more about HPV and its connection to cervical cancer?
Read more on the European Vaccination Information Portal in YOUR language here.
Find out more about HPV on the disease page on ECDC Portal.
More information on epidemiology in Europe in general can be found on our portal: https://⁠ecdc.europa.eu⁠ and ⁠social media channels⁠.

Enjoy the episode!