User:Cbrownaz24/European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control

Legal Basis
The ECDC was established by Regulation (EC) No 851/2004 , deriving its legal basis from Articles 251(2) and 152(4) TEC, which together allow the European Commission to submit proposals for regulations seeking to achieve the EU's objectives of ensuring public health.

History and operations
As EU economic integration and open frontiers increased, cooperation on public health issues became more important. While the idea of creating a European centre for disease control had been discussed previously by public health experts, the 2003 SARS outbreak and the rapid spread of SARS across country borders confirmed the urgency of the creation of an EU-wide institution for public health. ECDC was set up in record time for an EU agency: the European Commission presented draft legislation in July 2003; by the spring of 2004, Regulation (EC) 851/2004 had been passed, and in May 2005 the Centre became operational.

The European Parliament appointed UK Conservative John Bowis as rapporteur for the regulation, thus making him responsible for drafting of the report, its presentation to Parliament, and navigating it through the legislative process.

The relevance of the centre's mission was confirmed shortly after it began operating, when the arrival of H5N1 avian influenza in the EU's neighbourhood led to fears that the disease could adapt or mutate into a pandemic strain of human influenza.[citation needed] The Centre moved to its current location at Gustav III:s Boulevard 40, 16973 Solna, Sweden, on 3 March 2018.

The ECDC manages key initiatives that focus on surveillance and response support, and public health capacity and communication,[citation needed] while the office of the Chief Scientist oversees the Microbiology Coordination Section and the Scientific Advice Coordination Section, along with seven Disease Programmes.[citation needed]

The Disease Programmes focus on specific disease groups:[citation needed]


 * Antimicrobial resistance and Healthcare-associated infections
 * Emerging and Vector-borne Diseases
 * Food- and Waterborne Diseases and Zoonoses
 * Sexually Transmitted Infections, including HIV and Blood-borne Viruses
 * Influenza
 * Tuberculosis
 * Vaccine-preventable diseases

Interactions with EU Institutions
EU Institutions (European Commission, European Parliament, and the Council of the European Union) have a direct relationship in the functioning of the ECDC by providing oversight and funding and receiving strategic guidance from the agency.

'''The ECDC is responsible for providing strategic guidance and ensuring that the EU's activities align with broader EU health policies and objectives. This involves setting priorities, outlining long-term goals, and integrating the ECDC's work into the EU's overall public health strategy . EU Institutions also ensure financial oversight by allocating the ECDC's annual budget, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring that resources are used effectively and transparently . Through its Health Security Committee, the Commission collaborates especially closely with the ECDC to respond to health emergencies, share information, and implement joint actions across member states .'''

Collaboration with Other EU Agencies
European Medicines Agency (EMA): The ECDC collaborates with EMA on monitoring vaccine safety, pharmacovigilance, and managing public health emergencies.

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): Joint efforts focus on controlling animal diseases and foodborne pathogens.

Joint Research Centre (JRC): Cooperation involves research and data sharing on emerging health threats.

European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA): To collaborate on prevention efforts regarding the spread of drug-related infectious diseases across the EU.