Objectives
The EURL-PH-ERZV provide support to EU Member States in strengthening preparedness and response to high-risk viral pathogens of public health concern, including pox, arena, hanta, filo, henipa, and lyssa viruses, as well as novel diseases that may emerge, such as disease X. Coordinated by the Public Health Agency of Sweden, the EURL is implemented through a consortium consisting of the National Institute for Infectious Diseases (Italy), the National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy (Hungary), and Institut Pasteur (France).
The EURL-PH-ERZV provides scientific and technical support to national reference laboratories (NRLs), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and EU institutions. Its activities focus on enhancing diagnostic capacity, fostering knowledge exchange, and supporting early detection of emerging threats.
Key objectives include:
- Providing reference diagnostics, protocols, expert input, and reference materials to support EU case definitions.
- Offering specialised testing and supporting enhanced diagnostic capacity during periods of increased demand.
- Strengthening capacity within national reference laboratories through training and External Quality Assessments (EQA’s), based on identified needs.
- Sharing expert knowledge on relevant virus groups and pathogens.
- Contributing to early warning through laboratory-based monitoring and alerts.
- Organising meetings to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange.
- Coordinating with related EU laboratories, projects, and public health initiatives.