Synergies in community and institutional public health emergency preparedness for tick-borne diseases in Spain : a case study on Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever

Abstract

Within the broad context of EU Decision 1082/2013/EU on serious cross-border health threats, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has initiated a case study project to investigate the synergies between communities affected by serious public health threats and the institutions (both health- and non-healthrelated) that are mandated to prepare for and respond to them. The premise for the project is that affected communities are increasingly being recognised as key resources that can be used during public health emergencies, and that the concerns, understanding and experience of ordinary people should be harnessed as an important part of the response. The aim of this case study project is to identify good practices related to community preparedness for tick-borne diseases. This report focuses on two cases of Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) that emerged in Spain in August– September 2016, the first autochthonous clinical cases of CCHF in south-western Europe. Specifically, the study aims: - to identify good practices and patterns of cooperation between affected communities and the official institutions mandated to address tick-borne diseases such as CCHF; - to identify inter-sectoral collaboration between health and non-health-related sectors with regard to tickborne diseases, such as CCHF; - to identify actions that could be taken by other EU countries