One bird, two stones: veterinary and human health collaboration in action (from ESCAIDE 2025)

Topic outline

• One bird, two stones: veterinary and human health collaboration in action

  One bird, two stones: veterinary and human health collaboration in action

  This session was held as a part of ESCAIDE 2025, ECDC's annual conference on applied infectious disease epidemiology. 

  Want to know more?

  You can find more information about ESCAIDE here: https://www.escaide.eu, and about ECDC's work here: https://ecdc.europa.eu.
• Objectives

  Objectives

  After completing this activity, participants should be able to:

  • Explain the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration between vet and human health and about national and EU level systems that support a One Health approach specifically focused on avian influenza.
  • Describe both successes and primary challenges with adopting a One Health approach, focusing on avian influenza, particularly with regard to data collection, sharing expertise, and the implementation of surveillance systems among other aspects, using real-world examples.
  • Move from strategic principals to concrete actions for public health officials to interact with colleagues in the veterinary field to build relationships, interact regularly and support each other in implementing a One Health approach.
• Watch the session

  Watch the session

  
  
• Summary of the content

  Summary of the content

  Summary of the content

  This presentation is part of a plenary session held at ESCAIDE 2025, titled ‘One bird, two stones: veterinary and human health collaboration in action’. Effective outbreak response to zoonoses depends on close coordination between veterinary and human health sectors yet achieving seamless collaboration between these traditionally separate domains remains a significant operational challenge. Recent outbreaks, particularly of avian influenza, have highlighted both the potential for successful cross-sector collaboration and persistent gaps in communication, surveillance systems, and response protocols.

  Through real-world case studies from recent outbreaks, speakers will share examples of cross-sector collaboration, highlighting successes and challenges in surveillance and response. The discussion will focus on practical lessons for strengthening operational collaboration, presenting recommendations for joint surveillance systems, outbreak investigation protocols, and integrated risk assessment approaches.

  Chairs (learn more about the chairs on the ESCAIDE website)

  • Angeliki Melidou – Principal Expert Respiratory Viruses, ECDC, Sweden
  • Carlos das Neves – Chief Scientist, EFSA, Italy

  
  

  Speakers (learn more about the speakers on the ESCAIDE website)

  • Richard Webby – Faculty, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, United States
  • Andrea Gervelmeyer – Senior Scientific Officer, EFSA, Italy
  • Alice Fusaro – Doctor, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Italy
  • Ramona Trebbien – Senior Scientist and Head of Section, Statens Serum Institut, Denmark
• Additional resources

  Additional resources
  • URLCheck other ESCAIDE materials on Learning Portal
• Contacts

  Contacts

  For more information about ESCAIDE, please see www.escaide.eu, or contact the ESCAIDE team at escaide.conference@ecdc.europa.eu. 

  If you have questions regarding other training initiatives please contact: courses@ecdc.europa.eu.

  If you have technical issues please contact the ECDC Service Desk at servicedesk@ecdc.europa.eu.

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