New Tools To Diagnose, Prevent, And Treat TB, Europe

As part of our Scientific Support activities, ECDC is involved with catalyzing public health research. Our aim is to identify "directed" research needs (i.e. question- and need-based research goals) and to coordinate the application of results between key stakeholders. To achieve these goals, ECDC must keep abreast with state-of-the-art research in infectious disease control and prevention and support the mapping and networking of the different EU and global initiatives.

Thus, the Scientific Advice Unit launched on February 12th, 2008, the first of a series of planned "ECDC Research Symposia" on different topics in infectious disease control and prevention, in the context of our mission and mandate in public health: to improve coordination and networking between researchers, funders, implementers, and policy makers. In this meeting the topic of "New Tools for TB control" was discussed and follow-up actions for improved advocacy, coordination, and funding investments proposed. Participants included project coordinators from six projects funded under the FP6 and FP7 programmes of the European Commission, as well as WHO representatives, and key European and international stakeholders.

Please see the meeting agenda and participants list and full meeting report to be made available in the coming months.

Many thanks to all of the participants and as well to DG RTD and DG SANCO for their scientific inputs and close collaboration for the meeting organization.