Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology

17/03/2026

🚢𝐄𝐔𝐕𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐂𝐎 𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐕𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬

As part of the EUVABECO Project – European Vaccination Beyond Covid-19, researchers from the University of Thessaly conducted a pilot study among cruise ship crew members to evaluate innovative digital tools designed to support vaccination practices across Europe.

The pilot tested two digital systems:
🔹 A Clinical Decision Support (CDS) system that provides personalized vaccination recommendations based on demographic data, occupational role onboard, travel information, health status, and vaccination history.
🔹 The European Vaccination Card (eVC), a secure digital vaccination record designed to store and share vaccination history across borders.

The CDS system integrates evidence-based vaccination recommendations developed by the University of Thessaly under the HEALTHY SAILING Project, tailored specifically for the passenger ship environment. The system itself was developed by project partner SYADEM.

📍 𝐏𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬:
• Celestyal Discovery at Lavrion Port (14 & 21 November)
• Celestyal Journey at Piraeus Port (21 November)

Three researchers from the University of Thessaly collaborated with Celestyal Cruises to conduct the pilot study with 52 crew members from multiple departments, including housekeeping, entertainment, engineering, bridge operations, medical services, and food & beverage.

The systems generated vaccination audit reports and sample European Vaccination Cards, while the onboard medical teams were also invited to evaluate the systems and provide feedback regarding their usability in the cruise ship healthcare setting.

In the next phase of the project, the CDS system will also be tested among cruise ship passengers and general travelers.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue working towards stronger, smarter vaccination systems across Europe.

25/11/2025

📍 Conference Participation Announcement

At the 11th Panhellenic Conference of the Public Health and Social Medicine Forum, held in Athens from 21–23 November 2025, the HIGH Horizons project was proudly presented during a Round Table discussion.

🔎 The session, chaired by Professor Barbara Mouchtouri, was titled: “Climate change and vulnerable populations: Health impacts and public health communication strategies.”

🎤 Two key presentations highlighted the intersection of climate change and public health particularly in relation to High Horizon project:

1️⃣ “Biomarkers of high-temperature exposure during pregnancy: From knowledge to research.”

📌 Fani Kalala, Assistant Professor of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly

2️⃣ “Resilient communities: Actions and strategies for protection against climate change.”

📌 Ioanna Voulgaridi, Medical Biopathologist - Microbiologist, Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Thessaly

19/11/2025

🛳️ All aboard for the latest updates from the Healthy Sailing Project!

Issue #6 of our Healthy Sailing Newsletter is now available! 🚢

📰 In this issue:
✅ 6-month project extension
✅ New scientific publications
✅ Highlights from international events 🌍
✅ Hand hygiene & cleaning training onboard

🎥 Don’t miss our new educational video: Preventing Infection Onboard – Hand Hygiene Tips for Cruise Ship Crews

📬 Read the full newsletter:
👉 https://healthysailing.eu/hs-newsletter-issue-6-august-2025/

23/10/2025

📢 Participation Announcement: Presentation of HIGH Horizons Results

The Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology proudly participated in the Conference on "Emerging Diseases – Old and New Infections in the Mediterranean Basin", held 10-12 of October in Larissa, Greece where we had the opportunity to present key findings from the HIGH Horizons project, part of the UTH research initiatives.

📅 On Friday 10 October, a Round Table discussion was held on the topic:
"The Impact of Climate Change on Health",
chaired by Professor C. Hadjichristodoulou and Professor B. Mouchtouri.

📌 During the session, the HIGH Horizons project was presented by:
▪️Assoc. Professor Kalala
▪️Dr. Koureas
▪️Dr. Chrelia

🙏We thank the organisers for the opportunity to contribute to this important dialogue on public health and climate change.

16/06/2025

🔴 New Video Release – 5th World Sepsis Congress | Session 14: Climate & Sepsis

We are pleased to share that Session 14 of the 5th World Sepsis is now available to watch online.

🎥 In this session, Assistant Professor Fani Kalala (Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Thessaly) delivers an insightful talk on:

"Impact of Climate Change on Maternal and Newborn Sepsis Outcomes"

🕐 Jump to her presentation directly: 01:10:05

🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQgunKpU1IU&t=4205s

🔎 Her presentation highlights the key findings of the HIGH Horizons research project, addressing how climate-related factors affect maternal and neonatal sepsis risks—an urgent public health concern in the face of climate change.

📌 Don’t miss this important contribution to the global dialogue on climate-sensitive health threats.

Session 14 from the 5th World Sepsis Congress. To go directly to a specific speaker/talk, please use these chapter markers:00:00:00 Introduction00:00:52 Filo...

05/05/2025

Today we honor midwives for their vital role in supporting motherhood and family. At the same time, we highlight the contribution of science to the care of women and children through the HIGH Horizons project.

🔬 The Laboratory of Hygiene & Epidemiology at the University of Thessaly is participating in the European research program HIGH Horizons, which focuses on studying the biological mechanisms through which high temperatures affect the health of pregnant women, postpartum mothers, mothers in general, newborns, and infants (up to their first year of life).

📊 Our researchers, with the participation of 9 midwives, are collecting data through questionnaires, taking biological samples such as blood, urine, etc., and recording the ambient temperature to which the mother and her child are exposed.

🧬 Our researchers are analyzing questions such as:

• What happens inside a human cell when exposed to high temperatures?

• What changes occur in the composition of blood?

• How is the structure and function of the body’s proteins affected?

🔗 Learn more about the project:

https://lnkd.in/dVEdXiEN

HIGH Horizons is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Research and Innovation programme under Grant Agreement no 101057843. Project partner LSHTM is funded by UKRI Innovate UK reference number 10038478.



Katerina Sousamli

03/02/2025

📣 Registration is Now Open for SHIPSAN Training Courses! 🌍

The SHIPSAN Association is excited to announce its upcoming training courses for 2025! 🚢 📚

Enhance your knowledge and skills in health, hygiene, and safety operations on passenger ships. These courses are tailored for supervisors, managers, and ship crew, covering essential areas for the passenger shipping industry.

Course Schedule:

1️⃣ Health and Hygiene, Medical and Public Health Operations in Passenger Ships

📌 Advanced training for supervisors and managers

️ 📅 Dates: Tuesday 3 – Friday 6 June 2025



🔗Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/dyxg79d7

2️⃣ Food Safety for the Passenger Shipping Industry

Training for supervisors and managers

️ 📅 Dates: Tuesday 21 – Friday 24 October 2025


🔗 Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/di9Ab8sM

3️⃣ Health and Hygiene in Housekeeping and Hotel Operations on Passenger Ships

📌 Training for supervisors, managers, and ship crew

️ 📅 Dates: Tuesday 11 – Friday 14 November 2025


🔗 Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/d77nYj6Y

4️⃣ Potable and Recreational Water Safety Onboard Passenger Ships

📌 Training for managers, supervisors, and ship crew

️ 📅 Dates: Tuesday 25 – Friday 28 November 2025


🔗 Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/d72YcWMQ

🎯 Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead in the industry! Spaces are limited—secure your spot today. ⏳

31/01/2025

🎉 ✨The Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology at the University of Thessaly welcomed 2025 with its traditional New Year’s cake-cutting celebration! 🍰 🎊

🙌 The warm atmosphere, heartfelt wishes, and inspiring discussions about the year ahead fill us with optimism for the future! 🌟

🙏 A big thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to this joyful and festive event. Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous New Year, full of health, creativity, and success! 🎉

24/01/2025

📣 Webinar του Παρατηρητηρίου Δημόσιας Υγείας Μέσων Μεταφοράς και Πυλών Εισόδου ⚕️

Το Υπουργείο Υγείας και το Παρατηρητηρίου Δημόσιας Υγείας Μέσων Μεταφοράς και Πυλών Εισόδου διοργάνωσαν εξειδικευμένο 2-ωρο webinar την Πέμπτη, 23 Ιανουαρίου 2025.

💻 Το webinar απευθυνόταν σε υπαλλήλους που είναι αρμόδιοι για την έκδοση Υγειονομικών Πιστοποιητικών Πλοίων στην Ελλάδα. Με τη συμμετοχή >100 συμμετοχόντων, το πρόγραμμα περιελάμβανε αναλυτικές παρουσιάσεις και οδηγίες χρήσης της Ηλεκτρονικής Πλατφόρμας EU Common Ship Sanitation Database.

▪️Διοργάνωση: Υπουργείο Υγείας & Παρατηρητήριο Δημόσιας Υγείας Μέσων Μεταφοράς και Πυλών Εισόδου

▪️Χαιρετισμοί: Varvara A. Mouchtouri , Αντώνης Παπαδάκης, Φωτεινή Τσαλίκογλου, Dionisia Ntapanta, Christos Hadjichristodoulou

▪️Ομιλητές: Varvara A. Mouchtouri, Eleni P. Christoforidou, Nick Bitsolas, Leonidas Kourentis, Αντώνης Παπαδάκης

19/12/2024

🌍💡 Urgent Action on Climate Change and Its Impact on Our Health! 💡🌍

Prof. Christos Hadjichristodoulou delivered a lecture on the “Climate Change and Impacts on Health” during the opening ceremony of the 4th Panhellenic Conference on Pediatric Infections on Friday 6 December 2024.

During his speech the retrospective study and birth control studies conducted by UTH under the HIGH Horizons project were presented.



🔎 Find out more about the work of HIGH horizon here: https://www.high-horizons.eu/

📄 Information in Greek for the project here: https://high-horizons.uth.gr/

05/12/2024

⬇️ Διαβάστε παρακάτω τη συνέντευξη του προέδρου του ΕΟΔΥ κ. Χρήστου Χατζηχριστοδούλου για το θέμα της κλιματικής κρίσης και τις επιπτώσεις στη δημόσια υγεία οπού αναφέρει τη δράση του Εργαστήριου Υγιεινής και Επιδημιολογίας, του Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλίας στο πλαίσιο του ευρωπαϊκού προγράμματος HIGH Horizons που μέσω μελέτης σειράς γεννήσεων θα μελετήσει και θα συσχετίσει την έκθεση σε ακραίες θερμοκρασίες με την έκβαση της κύησης.



https://lnkd.in/dTe-yPC4

22/11/2024

📢New Research Alert!🚨

The Laboratory of Hygiene and Epidemiology at the University of Thessaly is proud to announce the publication of our latest study:
"The Global Burden of Absenteeism Related to COVID-19 Vaccine Side Effects Among Healthcare Workers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis"

✒️ Authored by Marios Politis, Georgios Rachiotis, Varvara (Barbara) A. Mouchtouri , and Christos Hadjichristodoulou, this study synthesizes evidence from 19 studies involving 96,786 participants to explore the prevalence and factors influencing absenteeism among workers (HCWs) due to vaccine side effects.

🔎 Key Findings:

▪️ 17% of HCWs reported absenteeism after , with side effects identified as the cause.

▪️ 83% of vaccinations resulted in no absenteeism.

▪️ Study design, s*x, vaccination dose, region, and vaccine type were identified as significant sources of heterogeneity.

▪️ Various demographic factors should be considered in future vaccination schedules for HCWs to potentially decrease the burden of absenteeism related to vaccine side effects.

📖 Read the full study here: DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12101196
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39460361/

‼️ Let’s continue advancing public health by understanding and addressing the challenges faced by our frontline workers.

Background: A rise in absenteeism among healthcare workers (HCWs) was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, mostly attributed to SARS-CoV-2 infections. However, evidence suggests that COVID-19 vaccine-related side effects may have also contributed to absenteeism during this period. Thi...