AGP Executive Report

African Swine Fever: Serbia has declared a state of emergency in nine municipalities after an African swine fever outbreak killed or culled about 30,000 pigs, with the virus still circulating in wild boar and authorities tightening biosecurity, movement controls and compensation for farmers. Cancer Care & Screening: A personal account highlights how breast cancer can be missed early, then escalates after lymph nodes are found to be involved—underscoring the mental and treatment burden of chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy and the need to keep screening on track. Public Health in Tourism: Split has introduced seasonal limits on alcohol sales, banning retailers from selling alcoholic drinks between 9pm and 6am across the whole city area from June 1 to September 15 to reduce late-night disorder and noise. Health Tech (Croatia): Croatian deep-tech firm Neuromorphyx is partnering with BrainChip to deliver the BrainBoard1500, an embedded neuromorphic developer board aimed at running spiking AI models on sensor data. Climate & Health Risks: Severe storms hit Germany with at least one death and injuries, while Europe continues battling extreme heat, wildfires and flood impacts that can strain health services.

Public Health & Safety: Split has introduced a seasonal alcohol sales curfew, banning retailers from selling drinks with alcohol between 9pm and 6am across the whole city area from June 1 to September 15, aiming to curb late-night disorder and protect public order and cultural heritage. Extreme Weather: Severe storms hit Germany overnight, killing a woman after a tree fell in Rhineland-Palatinate and injuring others; Europe is also battling wildfires in the Balkans as heat and storm conditions intensify. Local Health & Environment: Croatia’s Omiš wildfire situation continues to dominate the region’s health-and-safety concerns, with reports of injuries and large-scale evacuations and ongoing hospital treatment. Nutrition & Regulation: A new report highlights confusion between lawful supplements and gray-market peptides, urging clearer labeling and tighter oversight as oral peptide products blur the line with unregulated peptide sales. Tech & Health Innovation: Croatian deep-tech company Neuromorphyx is partnering with BrainChip to bring a neuromorphic developer board (BrainBoard1500) to the embedded community, targeting low-power AI for edge devices.

Alcohol Rules in Split: Split has introduced a summer ban on shop sales of alcohol from 9pm to 6am across the whole city area, aiming to curb late-night noise, disturbances and litter during peak tourist season. Heat and Health Risk: Croatia is seeing record-breaking heat that’s damaging tourism and agriculture, with research noting extreme temperatures can cut labour productivity and raise adaptation pressures. Wildlife & Safety: Northern Velebit National Park shared rare footage of a poskok (nose-horned viper) feeding, reminding people to keep distance and not handle venomous snakes. Water & Environment Watch: Croatia’s president asked parliament for an emergency session over a suspected illegal hazardous waste dump near Gospić after tests pointed to groundwater contamination, including PFAS concerns. Public Health Policy Angle: The EU is considering new rules that could tighten smoking bans, with the Commission set to rewrite regulations for the next generation. Local Health Tech: Croatian deep-tech firm Neuromorphyx partnered with BrainChip to launch the AKD1500-based BrainBoard1500 developer board for embedded neuromorphic AI.

Banking & Cost of Living: Croatia’s foreign-owned banks face a new 50% tax on excess profits after a euro-era boom, with the Croatian National Bank citing €1.4bn net profit in 2025 and low bad-loan levels. Public Health & Environment: Croatia’s president has pushed for an emergency parliamentary session over an illegal hazardous waste dump near Gospić, citing groundwater contamination concerns including PFAS. Extreme Heat & Work Capacity: New reporting links record heat to economic damage, noting hotter summers reduce labour productivity and raise risks for agriculture and businesses. Sea Safety: Croatia’s public health institutes say 97% of monitored beaches are rated excellent, with testing repeated about every two weeks during the bathing season. Tobacco Policy: The EU is considering updated rules to curb smoking and the rise of digital marketing and novel nicotine products, after older laws were found outdated. Wildlife & Safety: Northern Velebit National Park shared rare footage of a poskok viper feeding, reminding people to keep distance and avoid handling.

Extreme Heat & Health Risk: Croatia’s meteorological service says this year’s heat-wave records are breaking at multiple stations, with prolonged “very high danger” periods linked to drought and a harsher wildfire season. Wildfires & Public Safety: Fires across Europe have killed people and triggered mass evacuations, including reports of deaths and hundreds evacuated on Greece’s Salamina island—an urgent reminder for Croatia’s own fire preparedness. Hazardous Waste Scandal (Gospić): President Zoran Milanović has demanded an emergency parliamentary session over an illegal hazardous waste dump near Gospić, citing groundwater contamination concerns and calling for permanent remediation, tighter oversight, and faster public updates. Sea Quality Monitoring: Croatia’s public health system reports that about 97% of monitored beaches are rated excellent, with routine sampling and lab checks for indicators like E. coli. Tobacco Policy Watch: The EU is revising tobacco rules after finding older laws no longer curb digital marketing and novel nicotine products, with youth use a growing concern. Health Tech (Croatia): Croatian neuromorphic AI firm Neuromorphyx is partnering with BrainChip to expand access to ultra-low-power AI hardware for embedded developers.

Gospić Hazardous Waste: Croatian President Zoran Milanović has demanded an emergency extraordinary parliamentary session over an illegal hazardous waste dump near Gospić, citing groundwater contamination and PFAS migration; he wants immediate permanent remediation, tighter state oversight, and regular public updates. Heat & Wildfire Health Risks: Croatia’s weather service reports new heat-wave duration records at key stations (including Rijeka and Split), a backdrop to a dangerous wildfire season that has already injured dozens and forced evacuations in the region. Sea Safety Check: Croatia’s public health monitoring shows 97% of tested bathing sites rated excellent, with sampling repeated about every two weeks during the season and lab checks focused on indicators like E. coli. Disease Surveillance Upgrade: Croatia is considering options to improve foodborne disease surveillance, after WHO-linked findings point to fragmented systems and limited resources affecting tracking of illnesses such as campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis. Tobacco Prevention Push (EU): The European Commission is moving to rewrite rules to curb smoking and rising youth use of nicotine products, including flavored disposable vapes, after older tobacco laws were found outdated. Digital Health Tech (Croatia): Croatian deep-tech firm Neuromorphyx has partnered with BrainChip to expand access to neuromorphic AI hardware via an AKD1500-based developer platform.

Heat & Health: Croatia’s DHMZ reports new records for the longest heat-wave stretches with health impact—Rijeka hit 20 consecutive days and Split 19—while prolonged heat and drought are also feeding a tougher wildfire season, including the Omis-area blaze that injured dozens. Wildfires & Emergency Care: Across Europe, fires linked to extreme heat have killed people and forced mass evacuations; on Greece’s Salamina island, two deaths were reported and hundreds were evacuated as crews battled twin blazes, while Croatia’s own Adriatic fires have injured residents and disrupted travel. Disease Surveillance Reform: Croatia is considering three options to strengthen disease surveillance, with WHO noting fragmented systems, slow cross-sector data sharing, and limited resources—especially relevant for common foodborne illnesses like campylobacteriosis and salmonellosis. Weight-Loss Treatment Debate: A local couple urges people struggling with obesity to consider specialist bariatric surgery at home rather than traveling for GLP-1 drugs or overseas procedures, highlighting both benefits and safety concerns. Digital Nomads & Health Lifestyle: A new ranking puts Spain first for remote work, with Croatia also scoring well—an angle that matters for wellness as more people juggle travel, routines, and health while working abroad. Tech for Health-Adjacent AI: Croatian deep-tech firm Neuromorphyx and BrainChip announced a partnership expanding access to neuromorphic AI hardware via a compact AKD1500-based developer board.

Weight-loss surgery debate: A Croatian-linked health story from abroad highlights how a couple who had bariatric surgery in Cork say it changed their lives, while questions grow about the cost and safety of GLP-1 injections and overseas surgery. Wildfire health emergency: Across Europe, extreme heat is driving major blazes. Greece’s Salamina island saw two deaths and hundreds evacuated after twin fires, with people treated for burns and smoke inhalation. Croatia wildfire impact: On Croatia’s Adriatic coast, the Omiš-area fire has left major destruction, injuries, and mass evacuations, with authorities assessing damage as firefighting continues. Belgium record blaze: Belgium’s High Fens wildfire has more than doubled in size and forced evacuations, raising smoke-related health concerns for nearby communities. Public health in the spotlight: The week also included a report on physicians working excessive hours being more likely to quit, adding pressure to already-stretched care systems.

Wildfire Health Crisis in Europe: Record heat and drought are driving major blazes and mass evacuations, with Greece’s Salamina island hit by two fires that killed two people and sent 500+ residents fleeing by sea, while at least 10 were treated for burns or smoke inhalation. Belgium’s Record Fire: In the High Fens nature reserve, the wildfire has more than doubled in a day to about 3,000 hectares, prompting evacuations and raising health concerns from smoke near the German border. Croatia’s Adriatic Fire Response: On Croatia’s coast near Omiš, a fast-moving blaze has killed at least one person, injured dozens, and forced around 1,200 people to evacuate; officials say steep terrain is making firefighting especially difficult. Heat’s Public Health Toll: A European mortality analysis links heat waves to thousands of extra deaths, and low home air-conditioning coverage is leaving many people more vulnerable. Storm-Linked Disaster in Spain: Torrential rain triggered a landslide in northwestern Spain, killing two women and injuring two babies.

Croatia Wildfires Update (Omiš): A fast-moving blaze near Lokva Rogoznica swept toward Omiš, forcing about 1,000 residents and tourists to evacuate and injuring 36 people; Split hospital treated dozens, with several in life-threatening condition, and emergency shelters opened as firefighters battled flames fanned by strong winds. Local Health Response: Croatia’s fire and health services coordinated mass care and transport, including intensive treatment at Split Clinical Hospital and large-scale maritime rescue for people who fled into the sea. Regional Context (Europe): The same heat-and-drought conditions driving Croatia’s crisis also triggered major evacuations elsewhere, including twin fires on Greece’s Salamina island that killed two and sent hundreds fleeing by sea, and a record wildfire in Belgium’s High Fens pushing toward Germany. Public Safety & Travel: Authorities urged people to follow evacuation instructions and monitor official updates, as wildfires disrupted holiday travel across multiple countries.

Wildfire Emergency in Dalmatia: A fast-moving blaze near Lokva Rogoznica swept toward Omiš, forcing about 1,000–2,000 residents and tourists to evacuate by road and sea, injuring 40+ people (with 7 reported in life-threatening condition) and killing at least one person; Split hospitals treated dozens, and some patients were transferred to specialist care in Zagreb. Public Health & Care Response: Emergency shelters opened between Omiš and Split, while firefighters and medical teams worked through the night as electricity and access were disrupted and the fire burned through roughly 900–1,000 hectares. Cross-Border Updates: Croatia’s tourism authorities and foreign consulates coordinated information for affected visitors, including reports that Czech and Hungarian citizens were among those evacuated and later able to return as conditions stabilized. Broader Europe Context: The Omiš disaster is part of a wider heatwave-driven wildfire crisis across Europe, with authorities warning of “very extreme” conditions and multiple countries reporting evacuations. Local Safety Questions: Early accounts from residents describe how quickly the fire spread and raised questions about causes, while investigations continue.

Wildfire Emergency (Croatia): A fast-moving wildfire near Lokva Rogoznica and Omiš on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast killed at least one person, injured dozens, and forced about 1,000–1,200 residents and tourists to evacuate overnight as flames swept through homes, cars, and nearby pine forest under strong winds and extreme heat. Hospital Response: In Split, 40 people were treated, with 14 admitted and seven reported in life-threatening condition; some patients were intubated, and Zagreb hospitals were prepared for possible transfers. Victims & ID Updates: Croatia’s tourism authorities confirmed a 34-year-old woman from Bosnia and Herzegovina died in the Omiš-area fire, with family DNA samples provided. Public Health & Safety: The blaze also disrupted daily life, including power outages and road closures, while emergency shelters opened for evacuees. Broader Europe Context: Similar wildfire conditions and evacuations were reported across Europe, with record heat and drought driving the risk.

Wildfires & Evacuations: A fast-moving wildfire near Lokva Rogoznica and Omiš on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast has killed at least one person, injured dozens, and forced mass evacuations of about 1,200 people, with many spending the night in shelters; Hospital Updates: In Split’s KBC Split, 40 people were treated, 14 admitted and seven in life-threatening condition, with some patients later reported as transferred or expected to be transferred to Zagreb; On-the-Ground Stories: A woman from Zagreb, Karla, said she escaped the flames by hiding in a cave by the sea for about two hours until rescue arrived; Regional Impact: Roads and parts of the main coastal route near Omiš were closed and some areas lost power, raising fears for the peak tourist season; Cross-Border Help: Hungary’s foreign minister said all affected Hungarian citizens are safe, while consular teams continue assisting evacuees. Workforce Health: Separately, a European survey of salaried doctors reports frequent breaches of working-time limits and links excessive hours and night shifts to worsening physical and mental health and intentions to leave the profession.

Wildfire Emergency in Dalmatia: A fast-moving wildfire near Lokva Rogoznica swept into the tourist town of Omiš, killing at least one person, injuring dozens (reported up to 42), and forcing about 1,000–2,000 residents and tourists to evacuate; many were treated at Split hospital, where 14 were admitted and seven were in life-threatening condition, with some patients transferred to Zagreb. Healthcare Response: Doctors reported burns, smoke inhalation and evacuation trauma, while emergency teams were reinforced and hospitals prepared for possible further transfers. Public Safety & Travel Disruption: Homes, cars and boats were damaged or destroyed, parts of Omiš lost power, and sections of the coastal road near Omiš were closed, threatening summer travel and local tourism. Broader Climate Pressure: The blaze is part of a wider European heat-and-drought wildfire crisis, with EU warnings of “very extreme” conditions across the continent. Cross-Border Impact: Hungarian and Czech citizens were among those evacuated, with consular support and medical monitoring reported.

Wildfire & Health Response: A strong-wind wildfire swept into Omiš overnight, engulfing houses and vegetation and forcing about 1,000 residents and tourists to evacuate; 36 people were treated in Split, with 14 hospitalised and seven in life-threatening condition, mostly from burns and smoke-related breathing problems, while emergency shelters and sea evacuations were activated and firefighting forces were redeployed as flames appeared to calm by Friday morning. Climate & Risk Context: The blaze is part of a wider Europe-wide wildfire surge linked to hot, dry conditions, with heatwaves also stressing the region’s health and emergency services. Water Safety Update: In Lika-Senj County, HZJZ testing found water safe for consumption and reported no detectable PFAS compounds in the latest samples, with further chemical and microbiological results still pending. Tourist Safety Debate: After Portuguese tourists were rescued and others reported missing in the Velebit Channel amid bura winds, calls are growing for clearer, targeted warnings to help visitors avoid dangerous conditions.

Water Safety Update (PFAS): HZJZ says water in Lika-Senj County meets consumption standards after new sampling on 11 August, with PFAS levels below the quantification limit and results consistent with routine monitoring, while extra chemical and microbiological tests are still pending. Public Health & Nutrition Info: A new look at Europe’s front-of-pack nutrition labels shows that, beyond Nutri-Score, countries use different systems like Italy’s NutrInform Battery and traffic-light style schemes, affecting how shoppers interpret “healthier” choices. Heat & Drought Context: Reports highlight worsening summer heat across Europe, with drought and water-stress pressures rising—an issue that can directly affect health, hydration, and vulnerable groups. Maritime Safety (Croatia Coast): Rescue teams recovered a body during the search for missing Portuguese tourists off Croatia’s Adriatic coast, while earlier searches found two survivors in hospital after hours at sea in dangerous winds. Archaeology & Disease (Health History): New research on dozens of skeletons found in Roman-era wells in Osijek suggests some may relate to the Plague of Cyprian, linking past epidemics to human remains.