Epidemic intelligence

Monitoring and assessing threats to health in Europe from infectious diseases are core tasks of ECDC, performed either by screening various information sources or via notification by formal sources, e.g. the Early Warning and Response System (EWRS). Identified threats are discussed at the daily ECDC round table meeting, and an initial assessment on appropriate ECDC actions is carried out.

he European Commission and EU Member States rely on the Centre’s rapid risk assessments and technical support when faced with serious multi-country infectious disease threats. ECDC also works closely with the epidemic intelligence teams of WHO and other partners under the Global Health and Security Action Group.

ECDC developed a new tool to detect public health signals through real-time analysis of the Twitter platform that covers more than 60 diseases, including COVID-19.

In 2020, the overall number of events monitored decreased significantly due to the monitoring of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Centre maintained and updated its database for selected diseases (cholera, dengue, chikungunya, measles), and data access was granted to Member States and WHO. Regular exchanges took place with epidemic intelligence services and agencies in other countries. ECDC remained involved in the Early Alert and Response project of the Global Health Security Action Group.