WHO launches pan-European network to strengthen disease surveillance and outbreak response

The World Health Organization launched this Monday the Pan-European Network for Disease Control (NDC) together with the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA), whose director will lead the network’s Coordination Group, WHO said.

In a statement, WHO Europe said that “NDC’s mission is to strengthen the preparedness of the WHO European Region, covering the 53 countries of Europe and Central Asia, by proactively identifying and mitigating potential risks before they become regional or global threats.”

As a result of “lessons learned” from Covid-19, “the new network will strengthen disease surveillance and outbreak response” across the region, for example by promoting collaboration and knowledge sharing between countries, public health agencies, academia and civil society.

Other objectives of the Pan-European Network are to promote common standards for a common approach to disease management and to take advantage of existing networks through WHO/Europe and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in terms of technical cooperation and research. . European.

WHO also intends to “foster the development of innovative approaches” and “help Network members and European Member States develop new skills and partnerships”, as well as “improve interdisciplinary coordination between the animal, human and environment sectors at national, regional and subnational levels.” around the world by adopting a One Health approach to disease control.”

“The pandemic has exposed the weaknesses of our regional and global health structure,” WHO Regional Director for Europe Hans Henri Kluge said, as quoted in the statement.

The official recalled that the lack of scientifically sound information led to “hasty reactions” such as closing borders, hoarding vaccines and inadequate sharing of medical data.

“The next pandemic or global health emergency could be even worse, so we must prepare for it now,” he said.

Jenny Harris, UKHSA chief executive, said humanity faces a “significant, diverse and growing” range of health security threats.

“We are already facing serious health problems arising from infectious diseases such as mpox. [varíola dos macacos] and Covid-19, antimicrobial resistance, emerging zoonotic pathogens such as Zika and dengue, foodborne illnesses, and environmental, chemical and radiological hazards. If we want to fight them effectively, we must work together,” he said.

The NDC will be more inclusive than previous disease control networks, bringing together European Union countries and third countries, as well as bringing together multilateral bodies from the EU, the United Nations and Central Asia, according to the statement.