Epidemic Intelligence Information System (EPIS)

Tools for public health
17 May 2017

The Epidemic Intelligence Information System (EPIS) is a web-based communication platform that allows nominated public health experts to exchange technical information to assess whether current and emerging public health threats have a potential impact in the European Union (EU).

On 22 June 2021, EPIS AMR-HAI, VPD and STI platforms were replaced by EpiPulse. EPIS FWD and EPIS ELDSNet will be replaced by EpiPulse during 2021 and 2022 respectively.

Download

Read more about the new platform EpiPulse

EPIS - Epidemic Intelligence Information System

The Epidemic Intelligence Information System (EPIS) aims to ensure transparent and timely information sharing among the participating public health authorities in order to detect public health threats at an early stage and facilitate their reporting under Decision 1082/2013/EU and the coordination of response activities. 

The designated National Coordinator in the EU Member States is responsible for nominating participating experts in their country and controls the access rights through the Stakeholder Relationship Management (SRM) tool.

 

EPIS platforms:

FWD (Food- and Waterborne Diseases and Zoonoses)
EPIS FWD was launched in October 2010 and replaced by EpiPulse on 5 July 2021.

EPIS-FWD facilitated the early detection and assessment of multi-country/multinational molecular typing clusters and outbreaks of FWDs. The platform connected epidemiologists and microbiologists from 51 countries: 27 EU Member States, three countries of the European Economic Area (EEA) - Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein - and 21 other non-EU countries[1].
 

ELDSNet (European Legionnaires’ Disease Surveillance Network) 
EPIS ELDSNet was launched on 1 April 2011 and will be replaced by EpiPulse by the end of 2023.

EPIS-ELDSNet brings together data on Legionnaires’ disease, with a focus on the detection and follow-up of travel-associated clusters, and the investigation of community outbreaks (in an ad hoc fora with restricted access). This allows risk assessment and timely risk communication to the authorities in charge of risk management. The 30 EU/EEA countries, 24 non-EU countries (2), and Caribbean Public Health Agency currently have access to EPIS-ELDSNet.
 

AMR-HAI (Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare-associated Infections)
EPIS AMR-HAI was launched on 16 February 2012 and replaced by EpiPulse on 22 June 2021.

EPIS-AMR-HAI supported the rapid reporting and dissemination of information related to bacterial pathogens with previously unseen or emerging antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections which are or may become relevant for public health within the EU/EEA. All 30 EU/EEA Member States had access to EPIS-AMR-HAI.
 

STI (Sexually Transmitted Infections)
EPIS STI was launched on 31 August 2010 and was replaced by EpiPulse on 22 June 2021.

EPIS-STI supported the rapid reporting and dissemination of unusual events related to STI transmission across the EU and assess their EU relevance. Reports were submitted by the nominated contact points for STI surveillance in EU/EEA countries. All 30 EU/EEA Member States had access to EPIS-STI.
 

VPD (Vaccine Preventable Diseases)
EPIS VPD was launched on 19 October 2011 and was replaced by EpiPulse on 22 June 2021.

EPIS-VPD facilitated the early detection and sharing of information on outbreaks of VPDs and adverse events from vaccinations, and allowed exchange of information on technical topics related to vaccinations and the control of vaccine preventable diseases. The platform connected vaccination programme managers, vaccine experts, epidemiologists and microbiologists from the 30 EU/EEA Member States.

 

[1] Albania, Armenia, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Georgia, Israel, Japan, Kosovo (This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence), Moldova, Morocco, New Zealand, South Africa, Serbia, Switzerland, North Macedonia, Montenegro, The United States of America, Tunisia, Turkey, and Ukraine.

[2]  Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Kosovo (This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence), Moldova, Morocco, South Africa, Serbia, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Thailand, The United States of America, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates and Ukraine.