Public health threats top experts’ agenda

Greece's public health experts are sounding alarms about future pandemic threats and the growing issue of antibiotic resistance.

During a public health conference on Wednesday, prominent epidemiologists discussed the possibility of a new pandemic emerging from one of 25 virus families currently under surveillance by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Notably, H5N1 avian flu, which has already infected millions of birds and dozens of humans, is a top concern.

Sotiris Tsiodras, a professor at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, highlighted that the probability of an individual experiencing a major public health threat in their lifetime is 38%.

He emphasized the need for preparedness, stating, "The goal is to have countermeasures ready for a potential new pandemic," citing the risk of viral mutations, including a more...