The Institute of Preventive Medicine Environmental and Occupational Health, Prolepsis, has organized a series of informative events regarding farmers' health problems and the protection measures against avian influenza. The events, which are sponsored by the Agricultural Bank of Greece, were held in Kilkis, Kozani and Ormylia- Chalkidiki on March 14 -15, 2009.

On Saturday, March 14, an informative function was held in Kilkis and was greeted with great success by a broad audience. The Prefect of Kilkis, Mr Evangelos Balaskas, and the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr Konstantinos Kiltidis attended the event. During his speech, Mr Kiltidis noted the need for informing and protecting the health of rural populations and Greek people in general, and underlined the role of the Ministry in this effort.

Prof Athena Linos, President of the Institute, opened the event. She referred to the need to promote rural populations' health, especially due to their working conditions and their primary role in safeguarding public health in general.

During her speech, epidemiologist, Ms Elena Riza, presented several examples of farmers' health problems and their causes. In addition, she stressed the importance of prevention as the most effective way of dealing with these problems.

Closing the event, Dr Agoritsa Baka, scientific collaborator of the University of Athens, talked about avian influenza today and presented guidelines for the prevention against the virus. She noted that we all should be alert on both national and European level. 

In the evening of the same day, a similar event was also held in Kozani. 

The main speaker of the session was Dr Giannis Polychronakis, scientific collaborator of the University of Athens. He presented the basic guidelines that farmers should follow for the prevention of avian influenza and talked about the need for cooperation when dealing with this issue. 

Prof Linos opened the event and the Vice Prefect of Kozani, Mr Georgios Margaritis, contributed with his speech. The Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mr Michalis Papadopoulos was unable to attend the event but sent a short speech which was read out for the audience. 

An informational function for a broader audience was also organized by the Institute on Sunday, March 15, at the Center "Panagia Philanthropini" in Ormylia-Chalkidiki. 

The event aimed to inform the public about both the health risks of farmers and fishermen and the prevention of infections through vaccination. The speakers also referred to avian influenza and the guidelines for prevention. 

A great number of people and representatives of local authorities attended the function. Brother Charles Anthony, Director of the Center "Panagia Philanthropini", and Mr Petros Peiralis, social worker and Vice President of the Local Council of Youth in the Municipality of Ormylia, gave the opening speeches. Both Brother Charles Anthony and Mr Peiralis referred to the significant work of the Center for the promotion of women's health in Chalkidiki and in the broader area of Northern Greece, while Mr Peiralis also pointed out the role of young people in these efforts. 

Prof Linos, as the first speaker of the event, talked about the importance of prevention and characterized it as "a long way for a better life and probably for more years of life". She did not neglect to stress the vital work of prevention that is being offered to local populations by the Center. 

Ms Riza presented the health risks and the psychological problems that farmers and fishermen face due to working conditions and underlined the significance of health information and prevention. 

The need for vigilance was noted by Dr Baka who referred to avian influenza and the protection measures that need to be taken by rural populations. "Although Greece was not affected, the danger is still present", Dr Baka mentioned. 

The last speaker, Dr Polychronakis talked about adult vaccination as a way of preventing infections. He provided the audience with practical and useful information, while noting the significance of basic hygiene rules, such as hand-washing, and referring to all types of vaccines and the infections they prevent.