Strengthening outbreak investigation skills with R training

The training gathered field epidemiologists and public health professionals from across the EU/EEA to strengthen their ability to analyse and interpret outbreak data quickly and effectively.

The programme combined expert presentations with extensive hands-on exercises. Participants practiced importing and cleaning datasets, producing tables, graphs and maps, and compiling automated outbreak reports in R Markdown. Case studies on mpox, measles, cholera, dengue, Legionnaires’ disease and foodborne outbreaks provided practical, realistic scenarios to apply these methods.

Participants carried out simulated outbreak investigations in groups and presented their results in plenary sessions, reflecting on the collaborative approach required in real emergency responses. 

The training was developed and delivered by ECDC experts with invited facilitators and is part of the Centre’s broader EUHTF capacity-building activities, offered to both Member States nominated experts as well as members of the EUHTF External Expert Pool. 
 

The EU Health Task Force

The EUHTF is a deployable public health workforce coordinated by ECDC to provide rapid support to EU/EEA countries and beyond in preparing for and responding to public health threats related to infectious diseases. It strengthens preparedness and response capacity through the deployment of multidisciplinary teams, training activities, and the provision of targeted technical assistance, on request. By bringing together expertise from across Europe, the EUHTF enhances collaboration, facilitates exchange of experience and skills, supports swift action during public health emergencies and improves national and cross-border preparedness and response, thereby enhancing EU-wide resilience.