Coughs, Sneezes, and Tropical Diseases

Rabies has a fearsome reputation and with good cause. As one of the oldest diseases known to man, rabies’ gruesome nature has inspired many horror films, from 28 days later to Quarantine. This talk busts some of the myths around the illness that persist to this day, and gets to the bottom of what causes rabies, why is it still a problem in 2024 and can we separate fact from fiction?

Mosquitoes are the deadliest vectors on the planet, transmitting pathogens to both humans and animals, mostly known for their role in the transmission of Malaria and Zika in tropical climates, but what threat to they pose to us in the UK? In this talk we will explore the mosquito species we have here, tips to identify them and how to reduce breeding sites in our gardens, as well as exploring what makes us attractive to these annoying biters?

Infectious diseases have been front page news for a number of years and most will recall the response to outbreaks such as Ebola in West Africa and of course COVID-19 but how have these events shaped how the UK responds to future outbreaks overseas? During the evening we’ll introduce you to the work of the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team and give you an overview of the work they do to prevent, prepare and respond to outbreaks around the globe.