ECDC scientific webinar on vibriosis
As the summer season is approaching, ECDC is hosting an online scientific seminar to raise awareness of vibriosis and it associated risks. The main target audience is the European Food- and Waterborne Diseases and Zoonoses Network but registration is open for anyone with an interest in the topic.
Vibriosis is an infection caused by different species of Vibrio bacteria that lives naturally in brackish waters where saltwater meets freshwater. It can cause foodborne infections through consumption of raw or undercooked shellfish but may also result in severe bloodstream infections when entering through an open wound. The risk of infection is highest in the summer when the environmental conditions cause the bacteria to thrive. Climate change is expected to increase the risk for vibriosis, both through environmental changes but also changes in human behaviour. ECDC is arranging this scientific seminar to raise more awareness of the disease and how it is affecting Europeans.
The webinar will take place on the 19 June 2024 between 14:00 - 17:00 CET.
Speakers
- Craig Baker-Austin, Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), UK: What is vibriosis and why should we be concerned?
- Ettore Amato, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Norway: Surveillance of vibriosis – experiences from Norway
- Winy Messens, European Food Safety Agency: EFSA scientific opinion on the public health aspects of Vibrio spp. related to the consumption of seafood in the EU
- Jaime Martinez-Urtaza, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain: Expected expansion in Vibrio suitability in the EU as an effect of climate change