The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) was established in 2005. It is an EU agency aimed at strengthening Europe's defences against infectious diseases. It is seated in Stockholm, Sweden.

According to the Article 3 of the Founding Regulation, ECDC's mission is to identify, assess and communicate current and emerging threats to human health posed by infectious diseases.

In order to achieve this mission, ECDC works in partnership with national health protection bodies across Europe to strengthen and develop continent-wide disease surveillance and early warning systems. By working with experts throughout Europe, ECDC pools Europe's health knowledge to develop authoritative scientific opinions about the risks posed by current and emerging infectious diseases.

Within the field of its mission, the Centre shall:

(a) search for, collect, collate, evaluate and disseminate relevant scientific and technical data;

(b) provide scientific opinions and scientific and technical assistance including training;

(c) provide timely information to the Commission, the Member States, Community agencies and international organisations active within the field of public health;

(d) coordinate the European networking of bodies operating in the fields within the Centres mission, including networks arising from public health activities supported by the Commission and operating the dedicated surveillance networks;

and

(e) exchange information, expertise and best practices, and facilitate the development and implementation of joint actions.