OUTREACH

The Region of Crete, in the context of actions related to Public Health, is organizing an information event on the topic: “Emergency events – outbreaks of waterborne – foodborne diseases: Tools, practices and protocols”.
The intervention specifically concerns the protection of the population from the outbreak of gastroenteritis cases as well as the chronic problems of foodborne and waterborne diseases.

The event will take place on Monday, March 17, 2025 at 11:00 at the House of Culture.

It is important to inform those involved in tourism and catering about the immediate and proper management/treatment of these cases.

Detailed program of the conference:

11:00-11:15
Registration – Greetings

11:15 -11:45
“Confluence of gastroenteritis cases: Recommendations for effective treatment and basic steps for its investigation”
Kyriaki Tryfinopoulou, Public Health Biopathologist-Microbiologist, Deputy Scientific Director of PEDY of Crete, Assistant Professor of Clinical Microbiology, Medical School, University of Crete

11:45 -12:15
“Norovirus: The “gastroenteritis virus” from the source to the laboratory”
Aikaterini Tsilipounidaki, Dr. Biochemistry, Regional Public Health Laboratory of Crete

12:15 -12:45
“Special environmental cleaning-disinfection protocols in outbreaks cases”
Antonios Papadakis, Dr. Hygienist – Public Health Supervisor, Director of Public Health of the Region of Crete, President of the Panhellenic Association of Public Health Supervisors

12:45-13:30
“Field Diagnosis by the End User”
Antzy Kolokoussi, PhD, Head of DxHub Coordination team, IMBB, FORTH

Questions – Discussion

Discussion Topics:
• The importance of a strong Public Health Task Force for the effective management of epidemics.
• Strategies for community engagement to promote awareness and cooperation during an infectious disease crisis.
• The effectiveness of emergency communication plans for the public to be informed during an epidemic.
• Surveillance systems that can detect outbreaks early, allowing for faster response and containment measures – the importance of early detection through surveillance systems for effective identification and monitoring of pathogen outbreaks.

These tools and practices include enhanced surveillance systems, rapid diagnostic tests, and effective communication strategies to inform the public.