What can wastewater reveal about the spread of infectious diseases?

In this episode you’ll learn:

• how wastewater surveillance works

• what pathogens can be detected in sewage systems

• how it complements traditional disease surveillance

• how Europe is developing wastewater monitoring

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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.

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

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!