What cooperation does ECDC have with the EU/EEA Member States, the European Commission and other key stakeholders in public health field?

Partnership activities in public health microbiology programme play a key role in achieving ECDC's mission to identify, assess and communicate current and emerging threats to human health from communicable diseases.

Exchange of information on the public health systems and structures in the EU/EEA Member States is a key part of ECDC liaison work. This information may concern such topics as implementation of laboratory quality systems, reference laboratory selection practices, biosafety issues, international networking opportunities, training and capacity building needs.

ECDC operates in the area of microbiology through collaboration with the EU/EEA Member States. A strategy providing a framework with long-term objectives was developed. National Microbiology Focal Points (NMFPs), representatives appointed by the EU/EEA Member States, assist ECDC with strategic and technical work. Focal points in the European Commission and WHO work with ECDC to coordinate projects and build synergies within their mandates.

Information resources on these liaison activities are being developed after a mapping exercise in 2010.