EGTA

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
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Formation	2005
Type	N/A
Headquarters	Solna, Sweden
Membership	N/A
Language	N/A
Leader title	Director
Leader name	Andrea Ammon
Website	www.ecdc.europa.eu

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is an agency of the European Union (EU) aimed at strengthening Europe's defenses against infectious diseases. Established in 2005, the ECDC is headquartered in Solna, Sweden. The agency's primary mission is to identify, assess, and communicate current and emerging threats to human health posed by infectious diseases.

History

The ECDC was established in response to the SARS outbreak in 2003, which highlighted the need for a coordinated European response to infectious disease threats. The agency was officially founded on May 1, 2005, and has since played a crucial role in monitoring and responding to infectious disease outbreaks across Europe.

Functions

The ECDC's main functions include:

• Surveillance: Collecting and analyzing data on infectious diseases from EU member states to monitor trends and detect outbreaks.
• Scientific Advice: Providing independent scientific advice to EU member states and institutions on infectious disease prevention and control.
• Preparedness and Response: Supporting EU member states in preparing for and responding to infectious disease threats.
• Training and Capacity Building: Offering training programs to improve the skills and knowledge of public health professionals in Europe.
• Communication: Disseminating information to the public and stakeholders about infectious disease threats and prevention measures.

Structure

The ECDC is governed by a Management Board, which includes representatives from each EU member state, the European Commission, and the European Parliament. The agency is led by a Director, who is responsible for the day-to-day operations and implementation of the ECDC's work program.

Key Activities

The ECDC conducts a variety of activities to fulfill its mission, including:

• Epidemiological Surveillance: Operating the European Surveillance System (TESSy) to collect and analyze data on infectious diseases.
• Risk Assessment: Conducting rapid risk assessments during outbreaks to inform public health responses.
• Scientific Publications: Publishing reports, guidelines, and scientific articles on infectious disease topics.
• Public Health Training: Organizing the European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET) to train epidemiologists.

Impact

The ECDC has been instrumental in coordinating the EU's response to several major public health threats, including the H1N1 influenza pandemic in 2009, the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The agency's work has improved the EU's capacity to detect and respond to infectious disease threats, thereby protecting public health across Europe.

Also see

• World Health Organization
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Public Health England
• European Union
• Infectious disease