Koch Institute Disease Detective: Poisons, Choirs & Sprouts

In this episode, veteran disease detective Dr. Udo Buchholz from Germany's Robert Koch Institute (RKI) unpacks five outbreak investigations spanning Los Angeles to Germany. Dr. Buchholz reveals the twists of tracking intentional poisoning cases in the workplace—including toxic dynamics of both boss and employee malfeasance. Discover how intentional food poisoning in a restaurant led to a unique methodology for tracking foodborne illnesses. An approach that helped health officials solve a massive international E. coli outbreak linked to contaminated fenugreek sprouts. Finally, we go inside the science of airborne transmission. Dr. Buchholz breaks down his detailed epidemiological study on how SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) spread rapidly among members of the famous Berlin Cathedral Choir (Berliner Domkantorei). Listen in to hear how solving complex health crises requires a massive network of experts—ranging from Berlin engineers, CDC scientists, to a health official in Thailand.Additional guest information & links to podcast platforms are available at www.inspiredtoheal.net.  Please like and follow us on your favorite platform.Contact us with feedback and suggestions through the website.