European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), Solna, Sweden

Contact person

Zsuzsanna Jakab
Director
European Centre for Disease prevention and Control (ECDC)
Solna Stadshus
SE-171 86 Solna, Sweden
Tel  +46 8 734 20 46
Fax +46 8 734 20 57

Description of the institute

ECDC is presently located in Solna, north central Stockholm, in close vicinity to the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control (SMI) another training site, and the Karolinska Institute with full access to its library facilities, scientific seminars, etc. The final premises of the Centre (within the Stockholm area) will be decided shortly. The initial mission of the Centre is to identify, assess and communicate current and emerging threats to human health from communicable diseases. The Centre will search for, collect, collate, evaluate and disseminate scientific and technical data (surveillance), provide scientific opinions and technical and scientific assistance, including training. The Centre will provide timely information to its partners within and outside the European Union (EU), coordinate the networking activities within its mission, and exchange information, expertise and best practices. It will also facilitate the development and implementation of joint actions, such as joint outbreak investigations. The Centre will establish cooperation with the WHO. The Centre will issue advice and recommendations to guide EU and national decision makers, taking into account the wealth of scientific expertise in the Member States' public health institutes. The aim of the Centre is to network this expertise and to facilitate coordination between the Member State institutes. There are 3 technical units in the centre: the Surveillance and communication unit, the Preparedness and response unit, and the Scientific advice unit. As of early May, the ECDC consists of a small start-up team:
  • 1 Director
  • 2 medical epidemiologists
  • 8 general office staff

Training opportunities

The ECDC will offer the following opportunities to fellows:
  • Preparedness and response:
    ECDC will assist the European Commission by engaging in epidemic intelligence activities, assessing potential threats to public health for detected health events, and supporting Member States for investigation and response. Fellows will be engaged in daily epidemic intelligence activities, carry-out threat assessments, follow-up with Member states and assist in outbreak investigation when required.
  • Surveillance and communication:
    In its two first years the ECDC will assess existing European surveillance networks dedicated to specific diseases (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, influenza, legionellosis, enteric germs, etc), but also gradually assume the overall coordination responsibility of all European-level CD surveillance. Fellows will be directly associated in assessment teams and may be responsible for surveillance projects in close collaboration with the dedicated surveillance networks.
There will be opportunities for EPIET fellows to meet training objectives requirements in these 2 areas of activities. In addition, ECDC is developing links with the World Health Organization in order to mobilize European resources for support to international outbreak investigations and control activities in which fellows will be directly involved.

Training supervision

presently:
  • Karl Ekdahl, MD, PhD, Surveillance and Communication
  • Denis Coulombier, MD, Preparedness and Response
By the time the fellow takes position it is foreseen that the number of possible supervisors has substantially increased. 

Language requirements

English is working language at the ECDC. It is very easy to get by in Sweden with this language.

Training history

Number of EPIET fellows trained at the Centre: 1 (2005)
Number of alumni at institute: None
Available as a training site for cohort 12: No
    
This website -www.epiet.org- is hosted by SMI and updated by ECDC, Sweden.