ECDC role in public health crisis --- ECDC public health event operation plan Preparedness and response unit Improved co-ordination and support to response in Europe in public health crises Advisory Forum, September 2005

ECDC role in public health crisis Advisory Forum, September 2005

Founding regulation Monitor existing threats Detect emerging threats Assess threats Support MS for prevention and control Provide scientific advice on prevention and response strategy Advisory Forum, September 2005

Risk monitoring, assessment of emerging threats ECDC leading role in risk monitoring: –Public health surveillance - SCA –Detection of emerging threats - PRU Epidemic intelligence Human network of EI focal points EWRS and other European alert systems ECDC leading role in risk assessment: –In liaison with partner agencies (EFSA, EMEA) –Through scientific advice - SAU Advisory Forum, September 2005

Risk management MS in leading role: –Implementation of control measures (MS) EC in leading role: –Measures at European level (EC) –Coordination of measures among MS (EC) ECDC, with specific support role: –Advise on appropriate measures (ECDC) –Support to MS through outbreak assistance teams (ECDC) –Risk management monitoring and evaluation (ECDC/EC) Advisory Forum, September 2005

Risk communication ECDC communicates: –On risk monitoring: weekly bulletin/Eurosurveillance, to EC, AF, MS, partner agencies –On threat detection: press releases –On risk assessment: investigation reports, scientific advice, reports, Website… MS communicate: –On implementation of control measures EC communicates: –On coordination of control measures Advisory Forum, September 2005

Next steps Develop document –Building on the experience acquired through the simulation exercises Develop SOP’s with –European Commission –Member States –European partner agencies (EFSA, EMEA) –International partners (WHO)

ECDC Public Health Event Operation Plan Advisory Forum, September 2005

Definition of PHE From a public health perspective: –Events threatening the health of European citizens –Because of their nature, risk of transmission, increased morbidity and mortality or large number of cases implicated From a public health institution perspective: –Events that cannot be coped with under the level of activities implemented in normal circumstances –Increased workload to capture and analyse information –Need of a rapid decision-making process –Capacities stretched to their limits –Need for an enhancement of operations Advisory Forum, September 2005

Public Health Events Levels Level 1: PHE –Requiring some, usually short-term staff reassignment without need for external surge capacity –Fitting into previously experienced scenarios for which guidance is available –Requiring EU coordination but not presenting a high potential for spread Level 2: major PHE –Needing for extended staff reassignment and external surge capacity –Deploying ECDC staff in the field –Requiring EU-wide cross-sector coordination –Implicating policy development and/or implementing unanticipated control measures Advisory Forum, September 2005

Public Health Event Phasing PHE phase 1 - Alert phase –Emphasis on information gathering, verification and risk assessment PHE phase 2 - Acute phase –Investigation of the event, –Assessing risk of spread –Providing recommendation for control measures PHE phase 3 - Maintenance phase –Consolidating control measures implemented by MS and EC –Monitoring the impact of measures –Providing guidance for their adjustment PHE phase 4 - Recovery phase –Phasing down interventions –Documenting and assessing the crisis response processes –Translating lessons learned into policy and recommendations for preventing its re-emergence Advisory Forum, September 2005

PHE declaration The ECDC Director is responsible for: –Declaring a PHE, setting its level and phase upon advice from the Head of PRU after consultation of the AF –Activating the PHE management structures and appointing their leaders –Monitoring PHE phases and levels, and announcing changes –Declaring the closure of a PHE Advisory Forum, September 2005

Guiding principles to PHE management ECDC core missions must be maintained but priority may be adjusted PHE manager concentrates technical leadership and team coordination Core staff dedicated to crisis management Strategic decisions taken by the ECDC Director All communications done in accordance with the emergency communication plan Advisory Forum, September 2005

PHE coordination structures Support group Scientific group Operation group Communication group Public Health Event Executive Team (PET) Public Health Event Management Team (PMT) AF DG-SANCO Other DG Executive level Management level Technical level Advisory Forum, September 2005

PMT scientific group Gather epidemic intelligence information Develop appropriate situation monitoring mechanism Issue response recommendations based on best scientific evidence Maintain communication with relevant units in partner institutions Prepare daily briefing for PMT Advisory Forum, September 2005

PMT operation group Set-up and maintain ECDC Crisis Room Mobilise Outbreak Assistance Team (OAT) Coordinate field operations when OAT are deployed Manage crisis room operations Advisory Forum, September 2005

PMT communication group Maintain a list of PHE contacts Work with the press spokesman to prepare communication material Disseminate information to partners Support the press spokesman for media and public communication Monitor media and partner Websites Organise press conferences Keep track of PHE information Advisory Forum, September 2005

Support group Mobilize financial resources Reassign staff to functional groups Set-up 24/7 operations when required Preparing daily staff rosters Call upon surge capacity Organize travel arrangements Ensure IT availability Provide secretariat assistance Advisory Forum, September 2005

PHE internal coordination mechanisms PET briefings –Update on the epidemiological situation and the response activities –Review of strategic issues and planning of activities –Clearance of communication material PMT coordination briefings –Update from functional groups –Assign tasks to functional groups –Redirect specific issues to ad-hoc meetings Daily Advisory Forum briefings Partner coordination briefings –At executive, managerial and technical levels –Include briefings to communication contact points Information sharing –Sharing of information on ECDC Intranet and Extranet Advisory Forum, September 2005

Thank you Advisory Forum, September 2005