Embark on a two-year hands-on training that enables fellows to support prevention, preparedness and surveillance activities, outbreak investigation and control of communicable disease threats across the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) – and beyond. Apply for the ECDC Fellowship Programme (EPIET/EUPHEM) by 15 October 2023.
This workshop is designed to strengthen the capacity to use whole genome sequencing of human pathogens for public health investigations in EU/ EEA Member States.
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is a fast-moving technology, but the pace of change vary between pathogens/diseases and European Union countries. In a new report, ECDC proposes to prioritise the implementation of WGS depending on disease and public health application.
Laboratories play an essential role in the detection, diagnosis, prevention and control of diseases. To strengthen this role, ECDC and five partner organisations have developed the Global Laboratory Leadership Programme (GLLP) to support and sustain national laboratory systems under a One Health approach.
The OECD report ‘Health at a Glance: Europe 2018’ summarises the EULabCap indicator results in the chapter on public health laboratory capacity to control infectious disease threats.
The EU/EEA countries are making great progress in the implementation of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) technology for outbreak investigation and surveillance. With a harmonisation of standards, this will enable exchange of WGS-derived data across the EU/EEA as prioritised in the ECDC Roadmap for molecular surveillance and improve disease control and prevention in Europe.
ECDC’s report EU Laboratory Capability (EULabCap) published on the 30th of April, based on the results of the 2016 survey, concludes that the EU/EEA can rely in a public health microbiology system with strong overall capabilities and substantial capacity to fulfil EU surveillance and response.
The rise in Europe of Candida auris infections, a difficult-to-control fungus, is of concern. The fungus spreads easily in healthcare settings, can cause invasive infections, and is also associated with resistance to multiple classes of anti-fungal medication.