D6.3 Initial assessment of member states surveillance systems and needs assessments

One of the major lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic is that structural improvements of surveillance and monitoring strategies are needed to guarantee prompt detection and identification of cross-border health concerns, therefore allowing quick and effective interventions. Therefore, the UNITED4Surveillance scope will be to define a roadmap for future implementation in each MS and pilot the most promising strategies for an integrated surveillance system at the European level. For this, several gaps need to be tackled for improving preparedness to future emerging health threats. These needs and gaps analysis have been performed earlier within UNITED4Surveillance for the WPs concerning “outbreak detection, “hospital surveillance” and “One Health”. This deliverable report provides an integrated assessment of common challenges and needs across these surveillance pillars.

The main challenge from a technical point of view is that, since there is a strong need for inter-disciplinary approaches where data from different sources is integrated, there is a strong need for the development of robust data infrastructures to collate and process data streams increasing in number, size and frequency, in particular in the context of genomic data. This requires digitalization and standardization across the whole chain of data-providers. Setting-up such infrastructures requires a modern vision on data-handling and storage (incl. cloud-based), state-of-the-art automated analysis algorithms, and application of commonly agreed data standards. This all requires leadership with a joint vision including all stakeholders and strategy working towards this goal, including requirements such as mandate for data centralization and a steady funding source. Although clearly technical aspects regarding improved digitalisation, upgrading of ICT systems, etc. are important needs raised over the different surveillance pillars, the legal problems stand out regarding their impact on slowing down (or even be counter-productive to) the improvement of surveillance systems in the broad sense. We strongly advice a supra-national network of legal professionals with specialization in public health in order to reach more common understanding and interpretation of the GDPR in relation to infectious disease surveillance and control. Another over-arching key need is strong central leadership with a clear vision on the changes needed in order to realize strong integrated trans-disciplinary surveillance system. Without that there is a strong risk of parallel and diverging initiatives.