Division 2.1.2 Responding to health threats rapidly and in a coordinated manner — Articles 2(2)(b) and 3(2)(a)

Activities under this section aim to strengthen preparedness and to ensure a rapid response to public health threats and emergencies. This will be of particular assistance to cooperation undertaken under the Community network on communicable diseases^f1 and other EC legislation in public health and may complement European Research Framework Programme activities.

Risk assessment activities fall under the remit of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)^f2, e.g. surveillance, which became operational during 2005. Activities aimed to promote national management of risks and threats have been established in consultation with the ECDC in order to strengthen EU wide cooperation, thus ensuring that there is no duplication or overlapping.

Activities countering the threat of deliberate release of biological agents will be undertaken in tandem with on-going activities on communicable diseases. These and activities on deliberate releases of chemical agents are being developed in the light of the conclusions of the Health Ministers of 15 November 2001 and the consequent ‘Programme of cooperation on preparedness and response to biological and chemical attacks’ (Health security)^f3.