The Collaborative Surveillance Network (CSN) project aims to address the urgent need for the development of robust, interconnected, and collaborative surveillance systems that enable the timely detection, monitoring, and response to emerging global health threats.
By emphasizing collaborative surveillance, the project seeks to strengthen data sharing and interoperability across different sectors, promoting a One Health approach that links human, animal, and environmental health. Addressing the challenges of multiple data sources and interoperability gaps, CSN aims to establish a coherent framework for effective data integration to support evidence-based decision-making.
The project is fully aligned with the European call targeting the enhancement of national surveillance systems and the improvement of preparedness and response capacity in public health emergencies.
Main Objectives and Activities:
- Comprehensive mapping of surveillance activities across sectors and information system infrastructures.
- Establishment of protocols and memoranda of understanding to enable cross-sectoral data exchange.
- Upgrading information systems to strengthen collaborative surveillance through enhanced sharing of laboratory data.
- Development of a One Health Laboratory Surveillance Network for the monitoring and detection of microbial strains affecting human, animal, and environmental health.
- Development of surveillance and response protocols for invasive mosquito species and points of entry (ports and airports).
- Capacity building for public health professionals in surveillance activities through the creation of a targeted training framework.
A key component of this effort is the introduction of the Greek Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP), implemented in collaboration with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET).
Through these initiatives, the CSN project aims to make a significant contribution to collective European efforts to strengthen health security in Greece and across all EU/EEA Member States.
Scientific Project Manager: Professor Emeritus Lazaros Merakos