The centre coordinates the control of infectious diseases, including effective prevention, close vigilance and quick response in the event of an outbreak, and contributes to reducing health problems related to infectious diseases.
Activities
The centre coordinates the control of infectious diseases from a national and international perspective. In the event of a major national outbreak, the centre also coordinates communication about infectious disease control in conjunction with local and regional authorities.
In addition, the centre formulates policy advice on the prevention and control of infectious diseases and advises the government and health care professionals responsible for policy implementation. Research is carried out, contributing to the development of expertise, quality and standardisation in infectious disease control. Activities also include clear and reliable communication to the general public and health professionals, and effective international cooperation.
Clients and cooperation
The centre works with local authorities responsible for infectious disease control and with the government. Knowledge and experience is exchanged with other countries in Europe on surveillance, research and policy. In this respect, there is close cooperation with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) in Stockholm, and participation in other European and international initiatives. The division is the Dutch contact point for ECDC and World Health Organisation (WHO).
There are five specialist centres
- National Coordination Centre for Communicable Diseases Control
- Centre for Infectious Diseases Epidemiology and Surveillance
- Centre for Research Infectious Diseases Diagnostics and Screening
- Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Biology
- Centre for Immunology of Infectious Diseases and Vaccines
Director Centre for Infectious Disease Control: Prof. Jaap van Dissel