Health crises due to infectious and communicable diseases: European preparedness and response tools in an international context

Patrick Mahy, Jean-Marc Collard, Jean-Luc Gala, Philippe Herman, Dirk De Groof, Sophie Quoilin and Myriam Sneyers

Journal of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning, 2017, vol. 10, issue 4, 353-366

Abstract: The combination of changes in eating habits, ways of living, globalisation, extensive travelling and the migration of millions of people around the world may be contributing to increased health risks. Certainly, health crises today are proving highly complex. More and more people are travelling and may carry with them unexpected virus vectors such as mosquitoes. Preparedness is challenging and there is a need for action plans to safeguard the growing at-risk population. Health crises can potentially affect a large proportion of the population and may lead to a significant increase in mortality or to an abnormally high death rate. This should be integrated into the general concept of national and international surveillance in order to provide a prepared response in the event of crisis. This paper provides an inventory of the relevant laws, guidelines and tools in Europe (and to a lesser degree, beyond), and proposes answers to the health crisis problems associated with infectious and communicable diseases. In crisis management, communication is an important factor to consider. This paper can serve as a tool for people involved in crisis preparedness.

Keywords: health crisis; disease; surveillance; preparedness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: M1 M10 M12 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aza:jbcep0:y:2017:v:10:i:4:p:353-366

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