A scientist wearing protective gloves and a lab coat, under blue UV light, working with a microscope and test strips in a dark laboratory setting.

1st Cross-Border Workshop of Balkan Association for Vector-Borne Diseases

30 November 2024

Type of event: hybrid (on-site/on-line)

Palić, Serbia 

Vermeš Conference hall

On behalf of the organizing committee, it is our great pleasure to welcome you to the 1st Cross-Border Workshop of the Balkan Association for Vector-Borne Diseases, taking place on November 30, 2024, in the Vermeš Conference Hall, Palić, Serbia.

This inaugural workshop marks a significant milestone for our association, uniting a diverse group of researchers, public health experts, and policymakers committed to combating vector-borne diseases across the Balkan region. In a time of evolving challenges from emerging pathogens and environmental shifts, regional collaboration and the exchange of knowledge have become essential.

We have crafted an engaging program, featuring keynote addresses from renowned experts, thought-provoking panel discussions, and interactive sessions designed to foster collaboration. This workshop is not only an opportunity to share research findings and strategies but also a chance to build connections that can lead to impactful cross-border initiatives.

Your active participation is what will make this event truly meaningful. We invite you to engage fully, share your expertise, and contribute to shaping a more resilient and collaborative approach to addressing vector-borne diseases.

Thank you for joining us for this important event. We look forward to a day filled with inspiring conversations and productive outcomes.

PROGRAM

12:00-12:15: Opening of the workshop

12:15-12:35: Real-world evidence in Rabies prophylaxis in Serbia (Pavle Banović, Pasteur Institute Novi Sad, Serbia)

12:35-12:40 Discussion

12:40-13:10: Preparedness for future outbreaks: Utilizing Bayesian Latent Class Models and Early Warning Systems (Eleftherios Meletis, Laboratory of Epidemiology, Biostatistics & Artificial Intelligence, Faculty of Public and One Health University of Thessaly, Greece)

  • Introduction to Bayesian Statistics: Basics of Bayesian inference, prior distributions, and posterior analysis

o   Latent Class Models: Understanding hidden classes or subpopulations within epidemiological data. Case studies could include Lyme disease or other vector-borne diseases

o   Applications in Disease Surveillance: How LCMs are used in detecting and classifying disease cases where the diagnostic tools are imperfect (e.g., differentiating between vector-borne diseases in low-resource settings).

  • Can we predict spreading of flu? A pilot application of an early-warning tool for monitoring respiratory infections, COVID-19 and flu in Thessaly, Greece.

  • Introduction to Early Warning Systems: How predictive models can help anticipate disease outbreaks.

  • Case Studies from literature: Meletis et al., 2024 - Application of EVI for monitoring respiratory infections, COVID-19 and flu cases.

    • Overview of HARMONY COST Action's Work: Share relevant results and tools from HARMONY that apply to early detection of vector-borne diseases

13:10-13:15 Discussion

 13:15-13:30: Imported vector-borne diseases, clinical case descriptions and the significance of vaccination before going abroad (Dejan Jakimovski, University clinic for Infectious Diseases Skopje, North Macedonia)

  •  Clinical case descriptions of imported vector-borne diseases, atypical presentations and diagnostic difficulties

Review of real-world clinical cases of vector-borne diseases brought in from international travel to the Balkans, highlighting the diverse presentations and diagnostic challenges.

  • Vaccine-preventable vector-borne diseases, vaccine availability and the significance of vaccination before travelling abroad

Examine the range of vector-borne diseases for which vaccines are available, focusing on vaccine accessibility issues and the role of vaccination in preventing these diseases in travelers. Discussion of guidelines for vaccination in different regions and common barriers to vaccination compliance.

 13:30-13:35 Discussion

 13:35-13:50 Potential exposure to vector-borne pathogens in blood donors in Vojvodina (Jasmina Grujić, Institute for Blood Transfusion of Vojvodina, Serbia)

  • Vector-Borne Diseases and Blood Transfusion Therapy

  • The spread of vector-borne diseases and its impact on blood transfusion safety

 13:50-13:55 Discussion

 13:55-14:10 Novel strategies and tools to understand vector-borne disease dynamics (Gabor Kemenesi, National Laboratory of Virology, University of Pécs, Hungary)

 ·       Introduction to citizen’s science programs and their integration into research

·       Introduction to mobile laboratory tools as a potential early warning system to VBDs

·       Presenting the results of a One Health investigation to understand the origin of human dirofilariosis in Pecs, Hungary

 14:10-14:15 Discussion

 14:15-14:30 From innovation to implementation: entrepreneurial pathways in one health for effective pathogen management (Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz, INRAE, France)

 ·       Innovative Research in Pathogen Detection and Microbiomes

·       Developing Effective Control Strategies

·       Entrepreneurship Bridging Research and Application

·       Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Resource Mobilization

·       Community Engagement in One Health Solutions

 14:30-14:35 Discussion

 14:35-15:00 Takeaway messages and closing of workshop

 

REGISTRATION

Registration is free.

How to get to Palić?

By Car

  1. From Belgrade: Take the E75 highway (part of the Pan-European Corridor X) north towards Subotica. The journey is about 180 km and takes roughly 2 hours. Exit at Subotica South (Subotica Jug) and follow the signs to Palić, which is just 10 km away.

  2. From Budapest: Take the M5 highway south, crossing the border at the Horgoš-Röszke checkpoint. Once in Serbia, continue on the E75 highway to the Subotica North (Subotica Sever) exit. Palić is about 8 km from there.

By Train

  • Palić has a railway station with connections via Subotica, which is a major railway hub. From Belgrade, take a train to Subotica, then transfer to a local train or taxi to Palić (about a 10-minute ride).

By Bus

  • There are regular bus services from Belgrade to Subotica, with the journey taking around 3 hours. From Subotica, you can take a local bus or taxi to Palić.

By Plane

  1. Nearest Airport: The closest international airport is Nikola Tesla Airport in Belgrade (around 190 km away). From there, you can rent a car, take a direct bus to Subotica, or arrange a transfer to Palić.

  2. Alternative Option: Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport is also relatively close (about 200 km). From Budapest, you can drive or take a bus/train to Subotica, then proceed to Palić.

Local Transport

  • Taxi: Taxis are widely available and can be used for the short distance between Subotica and Palić.

 Accommodation

  • The hotel has 34 accommodation units distributed on the ground and first floor. Hotel offers accommodation in double rooms with separate beds, double rooms with French beds, family rooms and apartments. All units have a view of the lake or the park, and free Wi-Fi is available. There is a large free parking lot in the immediate vicinity.

    Booking and prices: https://www.elittepalic.rs/garni-hotel-park

  • It was built in 1903, modeled on the Park Hotel, from which it is separated by a unique Art Nouveau building - the Great Terrace. This hotel overlooks the lake as well as the wonderful greenery that surrounds it.

    It has has double and triple rooms, with separate beds or French beds. The rooms have a view of the lake or the park. Free WiFi is available to all guests, and there is a large parking lot nearby.

    Booking and prices: https://www.elittepalic.rs/depandans-jezero

  • A beautiful Villa from the end of the 19th century of typical Palić architecture, built within the sports complex of Vermes Lajos, is now the newly renovated luxury building Villa Louise. On the roof of the building, there is a terrace accessible to guests, from where a beautiful view of the panorama of the lake and the park is offered.

    Prices: https://www.elittepalic.rs/vila-lujza#lujza-pricing

Event supported by

  • Red oval logo with cream-colored text that reads 'Elite Palić' and a small decorative design above the text.

  • Logo for ELTA'90 MS Medical Science DO, with red and black text on a white background.

  • Logo with the word 'bio' in green lowercase letters and the word 'SPiN' in uppercase navy blue letters.

  • Logo for KEF 75 in yellow text with stylized geometric shapes

  • Amicus logo in red with a stylized diamond shape and the text 'Amicus a Swixx BioPharma company'

  • Emblem of the Air Traffic Control Association of Vojvodina, featuring a white dove flying in front of a yellow laurel wreath, with red, blue, and white bars hanging beneath, set against a blue background.

  • The Probo logo featuring a stylized DNA double helix in blue and green next to the word 'Probo' in green text.