Foodborne and Waterborne Infectious Diseases
Foodborne and waterborne infectious diseases remain major public health concerns worldwide, affecting millions of people annually and contributing significantly to morbidity, mortality, and economic burden. Contaminated food and water serve as important vehicles for the transmission of bacterial, viral, parasitic, and toxin-mediated infections, particularly in regions with inadequate sanitation, food safety systems, and access to clean drinking water. This session focuses on the epidemiology, prevention, detection, and control of foodborne and waterborne diseases while addressing emerging challenges associated with globalization, climate change, urbanization, and changing food production practices. Participants will explore the transmission dynamics of pathogens such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae, Campylobacter, Norovirus, Hepatitis A virus, Cryptosporidium, and other infectious agents associated with food and water contamination. Discussions will cover food safety regulations, water quality monitoring, outbreak investigation, laboratory diagnostics, surveillance systems, and risk assessment methodologies. The session will also examine innovative approaches to food safety management, environmental monitoring, public health interventions, sanitation programs, and community education initiatives aimed at reducing disease burden. Researchers, microbiologists, epidemiologists, environmental health specialists, food safety experts, public health professionals, and policymakers will have opportunities to present findings related to pathogen detection, contamination prevention, antimicrobial resistance, and emerging foodborne and waterborne threats. Special attention will be given to sustainable food systems, climate-related impacts on disease transmission, and global strategies for ensuring food and water security. By promoting scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange, this session aims to advance evidence-based solutions that improve food and water safety and protect public health worldwide.