ECDC: on Air - Episode 75 - A. Melidou & K. Wilgert - Could bird flu become the next pandemic?

In this episode of ECDC: On Air, we talk with Angeliki Melidou and Katriina Willgert, who give us an overview of 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.