Joint EC/ECDC/WHO Workshop

IVth Joint EC/ECDC/WHO Workshop on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness,
Luxembourg, 25-27 September 2007

The Commission, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) jointly organised the fourth workshop on pandemic influenza. After the previous meetings in Copenhagen and Uppsala, Luxembourg hosted a packed assembly bringing together representatives not just from the 27 EU countries but from all 53 countries covered by the WHO's Office for Europe. Internationally reputed experts were invited to present the latest developments in scientific research on flu, bird flu and flu pandemics. The workshop provided an opportunity for a very profitable exchange of experience between countries at the sessions devoted to good practice and the two exercises on communication and the preparation of hospitals. Participants expressed their satisfaction at the end of the workshop.

• Programme (280KB)

Browse the Theme
Keynote speakers' presentations
Background documents

Keynote speakers' presentations

Day 1 – Tuesday, 25 September – Plenary session

Session 1: Welcome and key notes
Chair: EC (DG SANCO)

Session 2: Presentation of communication tools (films)
Chair for presentation: M. Ciotti, Deputy PRU, ECDC

Session 3: Current situation and important developments
Chair: T. Paixão (Portuguese Presidency)

• Current situation on Avian Influenza in humans and the pandemic threat
  C. Brown, WHO Europe
• Experience gained from avian flu outbreaks in Egypt
  Abdel-Nasser Abdel-Ghafar, Ministry of Health and Population, Egypt
• Whole country responses to the pandemic threat
  D. Nabarro, UNSIC
• Selected update on science and research:
  • Report from UK hosted Workshop on Pandemic Influenza – Sharing of evidence and response policies across the EU (10-11 July 2007)
    J. Newstead, Department of Health, UK and S. Schreck, DG SANCO, Unit C3 - Health threats
  • EU funding for influenza research
    C. Schmaltz, DG Research, Unit F3 - Infectious Diseases

Session 4: Update on progress from ECDC and European projects with Member States including contributions from EISS, WHO and ECDC
Chair: J-F Ryan, Head of Unit, DG SANCO C3

• European Influenza Surveillance Scheme (EISS) and its future
  K. van der Velden, NIVEL, Utrecht, the Netherlands
• Tool for assessment of pandemic preparedness: pandemic indicators tool
  M. Hegermann-Lindencrone, WHO Europe
• Influenza surveillance during a pandemic
  P.Carasco

Session 5: Innovations and Resources from the Member States - Poster session outside meeting rooms
(session outside meeting rooms)

• Brief introduction to Poster session
  P. Kreidl, Deputy Influenza Coordinator ECDC

Session 6: Human H5N1 and pandemic vaccines
Chair : G. Magnusson, Director, Division of Health Programmes, WHO

• Update on H5N1 and pandemic vaccines:
• Global pandemic influenza action plan to increase vaccine supply, including global survey
  P. Carrasco, WHO-HQ
• Practicalities of production: a perspective from industry
  L. Hessel, EVM and IVS Task Force IFPMA

Day 2 –Wednesday, 26 September - Break-out sessions, exercises and plenary session

Session 7: Break-out Session on Inter-sectoral approaches for Business Continuity Planning
Chair: M. Hudson, Adviser, General Affairs Directorate, DG SANCO

Session 8: Break-out Session on Public Health measures
Chair: A. Nicoll, Influenza Coordinator, ECDC

• Optional session - Global surveillance benefits and virus sharing - Technical briefing
  WHO Regional Office for Europe

Session 9 and 10: Your choice of 2 parallel exercises

Session 11: Infection control
Chair: A. Nicoll, Influenza Coordinator, ECDC
Canadian work, M. Gardam, University Health Network, Canada

• Influenza A transmission in humans
  M. Gardam, University of Toronto

Day 3 – Thursday, 27 September – Plenary session

Session 12: Presentations on results of break-out sessions 7 & 8
Chair: D. Houssin (France)

Session 13: Avian flu

• Management of Influenza A/H5N1 Infections in Humans
  F. Hayden, WHO-HQ
• Animal health response to avian influenza – an EU perspective
  M. Pittman, DG SANCO, Unit D1 – Animal health and standing committees

Session 14: Presentations on exercises sessions 9 & 10
Chair: M. Socan, Slovenia

Session 15: General feedback and conclusions
Chair: EC (DG SANCO)

Disclaimer: The presentations and documents available on this page are the communication materials used by speakers during the 4th joint EC/ECDC/WHO workshop on pandemic influenza preparedness. They are intended for information purposes only and as such do not constitute official guidance from the Commission. The accuracy of the data depends on its author.

Background

Influenza Research

• Influenza Research - EU Funded Projects 2001-2007
• Details of new influenza research projects announced

Pandemic Surveillance

• Influenza Surveillance in a Pandemic

Public Health Measures

• Interim Guide to Public Health Measures to Reduce the Impact of Influenza Pandemics During Phase 6 - "The ECDC Menu"

Vaccines

• Technical Report - Expert Advisory Groups on Human H5N1 Vaccines - Public Health and Operational Questions - Sotockholm, August 2007
• Technical Report - Expert Advisory Groups on Human H5N1 Vaccines - Scientific Questions - Sotockholm, August 2007
• IFPMA IVS ITF Background Paper - The WHO System for Influenza Surveillance and Supply of Viruses for the Standardized Production of Influenza Vaccines

Virus Sharing

• Interim ECDC Scientific and Public Health Briefing: Sharing influenza Virus Samples - September 2007