The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has published a set of recommendations for preparedness planning for public health threats, offering guidance for improving readiness for future health emergencies across European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries, at both national and regional levels.
Drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and the multi-country mpox outbreak of 2022–2023, the Recommendations for preparedness planning for public health threats report provides practical, phase-based recommendations for health authorities across the EU/EEA.
It complements the EU’s broader preparedness planning framework, published in 2024, and is designed to help public health planners and policy-makers align with EU legislation and the World Health Organization’s (WHO) international standards.
ECDC identified several thematic lessons from recent crises, including the need for sustained investment in public health, strong governance and leadership with a defined role for the public health sector, cross-sectoral collaboration, equitable access to care, and improved risk communication. These are translated into specific recommendations for each phase of the ECDC model of the preparedness cycle:
- Anticipation: countries are encouraged to conduct cross-sectoral risk mapping, scenario-based planning, and capacity assessments. Tools such as the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) and States Parties Self-Assessment Annual Reporting (SPAR) can support these efforts.
- Response: establishing national coordination structures, maintaining public health emergency operation centres, deploying real-time analytics, and developing clear escalation protocols are recommended, as well as digital surveillance systems and platforms such as EpiPulse.
- Recovery: after-action reviews (AARs) and in-action reviews (IARs), with a focus on health system restoration, adaption of existing plans, workforce support, and rebuilding public trust are important for the constant evaluation of the preparedness cycle.
The guidance has a strong focus on risk communication, community engagement, and infodemic management (RCCE-IM). Countries are advised to form multidisciplinary RCCE-IM teams and engage proactively with communities, particularly when implementing public health and social measure.
Recommendations include developing surge capacity strategies, supporting healthcare staff’s wellbeing, and investing in recruitment, training, and retention – particularly of the staff working in public health and the management of infectious disease outbreaks.
