The Existence of the ECDC.


ECDC -european center for disease prevention and control logo

Of concern to most people these last few months is the ebola outbreak and how we are dealing with it. A terrifying disease, Ebola (EVD) formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever is often fatal to human beings with a average fatality rate of 50% it is right to be concerned. Now I know Doctors and scientists do work regularly with each other. but from the European Union (EU) in 2005, following the SARS outbreak, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) was established. Its goal to strengthen Europe’s defences against infectious disease. its headquarters are 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”. To achieve its goals EU governments are committed to supporting and assisting the ECDC in its collation of facts and information so as to track infectious diseases and help us prepare to respond to crises, within Europe and around the world assisting with the overwhelming workload of WHO -World health Organisation.  I certainly do not see that this independent agency of the EU would not have come into existence without the EU.  The sheer red tape and funding requirements (50 million euro annually) would have not allowed the independent countries to create such an organisation. Its value was soon observed with the outbreak of Avian flu and the resources now available to track, identify and respond in a much more co-ordinated and widespread way.  Once again proving to me the benefit of being Pro – EU, what are your thoughts?

European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control ECDC Headquarters in Sweden

ECDC Headquarters

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