ECDC: On Air

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

A peek behind the scenes at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control - the EU agency that aims to identify, assess and communicate current and emerging threats to human health posed by infectious diseases in Europe. Hear from our experts on a wide range of topics as they discuss the things that matter, and give you a crash course in Epidemiology 101.

  1. 1 day ago

    Episode 76 - Aleksandra Kaźmierczak & Celine Gossner - Not Just A Hotter Summer - Climate Change and Health

    Climate change is already affecting our health, often in ways we don't realise. Beyond hotter summers and more frequent heatwaves, it is creating conditions that allow some infectious diseases to spread, extending allergy seasons and increasing health risks linked to extreme weather.In this episode of ECDC: On Air, Dr Celine Gossner, Deputy Head of Unit for One Health-related Diseases at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), expert in food, water, vector-borne and zoonotic diseases, and Aleksandra Kaźmierczak - Expert in Climate Change and Human Health at the European Environment Agency (EEA), discuss how a changing climate is reshaping health across Europe.From the spread of mosquitoes and ticks into new regions to the growing risks of food- and water-borne diseases, they explain how climate change is affecting infectious disease risks. They also explore the wider health impacts of rising temperatures, floods, wildfires, air pollution and changing pollen seasons, and why these changes are already affecting communities today, not just future generations.The conversation also looks at how Europe is preparing for climate-sensitive health threats through climate adaptation, surveillance, early warning systems and cross-sector collaboration, while highlighting practical steps individuals can take to protect themselves.-----In this episode:- Why climate change is a public health issue- How climate change is affecting infectious disease risks- Mosquito-borne diseases, tick-borne diseases and Vibrio infections- Heatwaves, floods, wildfires and respiratory health- The European Climate and Health Observatory- How Europe is preparing for climate-sensitive health threats- What individuals can do to reduce health risks-----Links:Latest ECDC news on heatwaves and healthECDC's guide to a safe summer-----Learn more:🏠 European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)🏠 European Environment Agency (EEA)🏠 European Climate and Health Observatory-----#ClimateChange #ClimateAndHealth #PublicHealth #ECDC #Heatwaves

    Episode 76 - Aleksandra Kaźmierczak & Celine Gossner - Not Just A Hotter Summer - Climate Change and Health

  2. 22 Jul

    Episode 75 - Angeliki Melidou & Katriina Willgert - Could Bird Flu Become The Next Pandemic?

    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

    Episode 75 - Angeliki Melidou & Katriina Willgert - Could Bird Flu Become The Next Pandemic?

  3. 25 Jun

    Episode 74 - Esther Kukielka-Zunzunegui - Tiny Bites, Big Consequences

    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. --- ➡ Learn more about tick-borne diseases on ECDC pages here: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/tick-borne-diseases --- 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

    Episode 74 - Esther Kukielka-Zunzunegui - Tiny Bites, Big Consequences

  4. 9 Apr

    Episode 73 - Theresa Enkirch & Maximilian Riess - Signals Below the Surface - Wastewater Surveillance

    What can wastewater reveal about the spread of infectious diseases? ----- 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! ------ Topics: wastewater surveillance, infectious disease monitoring, environmental surveillance, epidemiology, public health.

    Episode 73 - Theresa Enkirch & Maximilian Riess - Signals Below the Surface - Wastewater Surveillance

  5. 23 Mar

    Episode 72 - Senia Rosales-Klintz - Hide and Seek: The Reality of Tuberculosis in Europe

    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. Check our social media to keep up to date with ECDC news.

    Episode 72 - Senia Rosales-Klintz - Hide and Seek: The Reality of Tuberculosis in Europe

  6. 4 Feb

    Episode 71 - Helena de Carvalho Gomes - Cervical Cancer Then & Now - The Path to Elimination

    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!

    Episode 71 - Helena de Carvalho Gomes - Cervical Cancer Then & Now - The Path to Elimination

  7. 19/12/2025

    Risk Wire - Episode 3 - When Salmonella Crosses Borders

    This is a third episode of our ECDC: On Air podcast sub-series - the "Risk Wire" - focusing on Risk Assessments ECDC publishes. This time we look into a prolonged multi-country outbreak of Salmonella Strathcona has affected 17 European countries and has been ongoing since 2023, with more than 400 confirmed cases reported so far. Investigations have identified small tomatoes as the most likely vehicle of infection, highlighting the complexity of foodborne outbreaks and the role of the environment in food contamination. In this episode, we talk to Dr Taina Niskanen, Expert in Food-, Waterborne and Zoonotic Diseases at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and Dr Eleonora Sarno, scientific officer at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Together, they explain what Salmonella is, how it spreads, and the symptoms it can cause. They walk listeners through how the outbreak was detected and investigated across countries, how whole genome sequencing helps link human, food and environmental samples, and why collaboration between public health, food safety and environmental sectors is essential. The episode also explores how ECDC and EFSA work with national authorities to track cases, trace food sources, and support control measures using a One Health approach. Finally, the experts share practical food hygiene advice and explain what people can do at home to reduce the risk of infection. Want to know more about the outbreak?Read our press release here: bit.ly/3KNFGCx Find out more about Salmonella on the disease pages on ECDC Portal here: www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/salmonellosis More information on epidemiology in Europe in general can be found on our portal: ⁠ecdc.europa.eu⁠ and ⁠social media channels⁠: bit.ly/ECDCSocialMedia Happy listening!

    Risk Wire - Episode 3 - When Salmonella Crosses Borders

  8. 09/12/2025

    Episode 69 - A. Collins & G. Amore - Foodborne diseases: What’s really making you sick

    In this episode of ECDC On Air, we are joined by Aine Collins and Giusi Amore - experts from ECDC and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to unpack the latest EU One Health Zoonoses report. They discuss the main foodborne diseases in Europe, the everyday foods most often linked to outbreaks, and clear up common myths - from “it’s just food poisoning” to washing raw chicken or relying on the smell test. The conversation ends with simple, practical tips for safer food handling and storage at home. Want to learn more? -> Read our press release on the latest zoonoses report -> Read the full report More about foodborne diseases can be found also on both - ECDC portal: & EFSA portal.

    Episode 69 - A. Collins & G. Amore - Foodborne diseases: What’s really making you sick
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About

A peek behind the scenes at the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control - the EU agency that aims to identify, assess and communicate current and emerging threats to human health posed by infectious diseases in Europe. Hear from our experts on a wide range of topics as they discuss the things that matter, and give you a crash course in Epidemiology 101.

Information

  • Creator
    European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    77
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
  • Show Website
    ECDC: On Air

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