Community engagement and institutional collaboration during outbreaks of Shiga toxin/verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli in Ireland

Surveillance and monitoring

This country visit report presents the findings of a case study into outbreaks of Shiga toxin/verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC/VTEC) at childcare facilities in Ireland, conducted in November 2018. The aim of this case study was to identify enablers and barriers for community and institutional synergies related to preparedness and control of STEC/VTEC outbreaks in childcare facilities in Ireland.

Executive summary

The case study is part of a wider project done by ECDC within the context of EU Decision 1082/2013/EU on serious cross-border threats to health. It is part of a multi-country case study project that investigates the synergies between communities affected by serious public health threats and the institutions (both health- and non-health-related) mandated to prepare for and respond to them.

The premise for the project is that affected communities are increasingly recognised as key resources in public health emergencies, and that the concerns and experiences of ordinary people should be harnessed as an important part of the response.

This country visit report is published together with another case study, on Community engagement and institutional collaboration in Iceland during a norovirus outbreak at Úlfsljótsvatn Outdoor and Scout Centre as well as an aggregated report on Community and institutional public health emergency preparedness synergies — enablers and barriers that summarises the findings of the two country case studies.