Epidemic Intelligence (EI) encompasses all activities related to early identification of potential health hazards, their verification, assessment and investigation in order to recommend public health control measures. This course includes different approaches on Epidemic Intelligence with examples drawn from the work of the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) and the Italian Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS). The course also includes videos of some Member States' experiences in implementing Epidemic Intelligence systems. This course aims to support the creation of a culture of epidemic intelligence and increase awareness of the WHO Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) initiative that could bridge access to Member States for Strengthening their epidemic Intelligence capacity.
Photo credits: WHO / Blink Media - Lisette Poole
Language: English
Course information
The Rome Declaration (Global Health Summit 21 May 2021, Rome) and resolutions adopted in the 69th and 74th World Health Assemblies call for a stronger public health workforce to protect populations, accelerate progress towards the achievement of the sustainable development goals, and the achievement of universal health coverage. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the central role of public health professionals in the preparedness for, response to, and recovery from epidemics and health emergencies.
This course targets Health Care Workforce and Public Health Officers with an aim to raise awareness among policy makers regarding epidemic intelligence and its potential for supporting pandemic preparedness activities. The focus is on the organizational models and added value of Epidemic Intelligence (EI) systems for policy makers within National Health Systems in line with the strategy of the new WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence inaugurated in September 2021 in Berlin.
The methodology used to develop this e-learning prototype had combined a Competency Based Model and a Problem Based Learning Approach, thus identifying competencies to be developed as well as an assessment of learning achievements within a structured distance learning training.
The course aims are:
- to widen knowledge, skills and attitudes of public health professionals on the fundamental principles of the epidemic intelligence
- to strengthen competencies on EI, piloting a common international training approach, understanding the added value of EI in their national context.
Practice activity: Upon course completion, participants will be able to evaluate the potential use/applicability of Epidemic Intelligence systems with a particular focus on event-based surveillance for preparedness and early warning, at country/institution level (in context).
Course duration: 4 hours.
Certificates: A Certificate of Achievement is available to participants who score at least 80% of the total points available in the final assessment. Participants who receive a Certificate of Achievement can also download an Open Badge for this course. Click here to learn how.
What you'll learn
- identify the basic principles of Epidemic Intelligence
- describe organizational models based on existing experiences to use epidemic intelligence for preparedness and early warning
- describe how to retrieve information using existing open bio-surveillance platforms
- recognize the added value/lesson learned from national experiences in integrating event based and indicator-based surveillance at national level.
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Certificate Requirements
- Gain a Record of Achievement by earning at least 80% of the maximum number of points from all graded assignments.
- Gain an Open Badge by completing the course.