In order to ensure a rapid and effective response by the
EU to events (including emergencies) related to communicable
diseases, the Commission has put in place an early warning
and response system (EWRS). EWRS is a web-based system linking
the Commission, the public health authorities in Member States
responsible for measures to control communicable diseases and
the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).
EEA Countries
(Iceland, Lichtenstein and Norway) are also linked to the system.
Decision 2119/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council,
and Decision 2000/57/EC
(amended by Commission Decision of 28/IV/2008) regulate the procedure for reporting and
for the functioning of the system. Under these decisions, Member
States should inform about events likely to affect public health
at the EU-level. Therefore, the EWRS is frequently used for
notification of outbreaks, exchange of information and discussion
about the coordination of measures among players. The EWRS has
been successfully used in a number of events such as SARS, avian
influenza in humans and other major communicable diseases.
The ECDC is in charge of providing scientific advice and risk assessment
concerning messages received through the EWRS. Since November 2007, the Centre also supports the Commission
by operating the informatics tool.
