European disease control centre planned
The European Commission is developing plans to set up a European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, which would co-ordinate efforts by EU member states to fight outbreaks of communicable viruses such as SARS.
In a speech to the European Parliament, EU Health Commissioner David Byrne said that this would be 'the most effective way to strengthen EU activities' against this disease and others such as TB. Byrne said that officials were 'well advanced in the preparation of the enabling legislation', which he intends to table 'in the next couple of months'. He wants such a centre to be created by 2005.
He added: 'The centre will enhance surveillance. It will co-ordinate and facilitate common responses, and collaborate with member states, third countries and international organisations, in particular the World Health Organisation. It will not replace existing national capacities, but rather hook them up to act as a reference and co-ordination point both in routine and in crisis situations.'