The surveillance of communicable diseases in the European Union – a long-term strategy (2008-2013)

This article presents the steps and considerations that led to the development of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control's (ECDC) long-term strategy for the surveillance of communicable diseases in the European Union (EU) for the years 2008 to 2013 [1]. Furthermore, it outlines the key features of the strategy that was approved by the ECDC's Management Board in December 2007. .