Information sources for epidemic intelligence and outbreak response

Monitoring and assessing threats to public health in Europe from infectious diseases are core tasks for ECDC, as is providing technical support to the EU-level response to such threats.

The Centre’s mission is to identify, assess and communicate current and emerging threats to human health from communicable diseases.

The objective of epidemic intelligence is to rapidly detect and assess public health events of any origin to ensure the EU’s health security. Epidemic intelligence can be described as the systematic collection and collation of information from a variety of sources, which is then validated and analysed. The aim is to ensure a timely response, based on an adequate risk assessment with recommendations on appropriate public health measures.

ECDC supports the response to infectious disease threats to EU:

  • Coordinate and support the rapid assessment of risks and the identification of options for response.
  • Support national and international field response through missions.

Tools (restricted access)

EpiPulse

EpiPulse is an online portal for European public health authorities and global partners to collect, analyse, share, and discuss infectious disease data for threat detection, monitoring, risk assessment and outbreak response. It facilitates collection, analysis and dissemination of indicator- and event-based surveillance data on infectious diseases and associated health issues, including global epidemic intelligence, whole-genome sequencing, and health determinants. 

Information sources

Open access

Source​Description​Access
​CDC​Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - USA​Public access​
​CIDRAP​Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy​Public access​
​FluTrackers​Website, online forum and early warning system for infectious diseases​Public access​
​HealthMap​News aggregator for disease outbreak monitoring and real-time surveillance​Public access​
ESA PlatformFrench Platform for Animal Health SurveillancePublic access
EurostatStatistical office of the European UnionPublic access
FacebookSocial media platform. It requires an account to access the platformPublic access
FrontexEuropean Boarder and Coast Guard AgencyPublic access
GDACS​Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS)​Public access
GeoSentinel/ EuroTravNetWorldwide communication and data collection network for the surveillance of travel-related morbidityPublic access
IOMInternational Organization for MigrationPublic access
​MEDISYS​News aggregator for all hazards​Public access​
​NaTHNac​British National Travel Health Network and Centre​Public access​
​The New HumanitarianIndependent news agency focusing on humanitarian issues​Public access​
OCHA​United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs​Public access
​Outbreak News Today​Health and disease news website focused on the latest news and information pertaining to infectious diseases​Public access​
​ProMED​The program for monitoring emerging diseases of the International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID)​Public access​
ReliefWebHumanitarian information service provided by OCHA on global crises and disastersPublic access
UNHCRThe office of the United Nations High Commissioner for RefugeesPublic access
World BankThe World Bank is an international financial institution that provides loans to countries for capital programs.Public access

WHO sources

​Source​Description​Access
WHO EUROWHO Regional Office for EuropePublic access
WHO WPROWHO Regional Office for the Western PacificPublic access​
WHO SEAROWHO Regional Office for South-East AsiaPublic access​
WHO EMROWHO Regional Office for the Eastern MediterraneanPublic access
WHO AFROWHO Regional Office for AfricaPublic access
WHO PAHOWHO Regional Office for the AmericasPublic access
WHO DONWHO Disease Outbreak NewsPublic access
WHO​World Health Organization Public access

Restricted sources

​Source​Description​Access
EWRSThe Early Warning and Response System of the European Union. Access and posting is limited to public health authorities of the EU/EEA Member States and the competent service of the European CommissionRestricted
GIDEONGlobal Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology NetworkRestricted
​GPHIN​Global Public Health Intelligence Network​Restricted
RASFFEU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF). It contains alerts, information, border rejections and news. Part of the information is publicly availableRestricted
EIOSEpidemic Intelligence from Open Sources.Restricted
ADNSAnimal Disease Notification SystemRestricted

 

Page last updated 21 Jun 2021

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