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Combatting infectious diseases in Northern Europe: The importance of information exchange

Explore the importance of information exchange in combating infectious diseases in Northern Europe. Learn about barriers to information sharing and how EpiNorth serves as a vital network and information platform. Discover current and future modules offered by EpiNorth, including a scientific journal, vaccination program guide, and dynamic news service. Understand the significance of international collaboration in addressing common and cross-border health challenges.

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Combatting infectious diseases in Northern Europe: The importance of information exchange

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  1. Combatting infectious diseases in Northern Europe: The importance of information exchange Preben Aavitsland Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology Norwegian Institute of Public Health

  2. Canada outbreak F,G F,G Ireland K K A Hong Kong outbreak H,J I, L,M H,J B C,D,E I,L,M B C,D,E USA 1 HCW Vietnam outbreak Singapore outbreak Thailand Germany The early spread of SARS Guangdong province, China A A Hotel MHong Kong MMWR 2003; 52:241-8(CDC)

  3. Combatting infectious diseases • The global nature of infectious diseases • The need for rapid communications • ”Information must travel faster than microbes” • SARS!!

  4. Background in mid 1990s • Rebuilding relationships after the fall of the iron curtain • Little contact between public health institutes • Little exchange of information • Language barrier • Different professional traditions • No literature (books, journals) in common

  5. Barriers to information sharing • Language • National languages • Lingua franca: English or Russian? • Costs • Journal prescriptions • Reference books • PCs and Internet connections

  6. EpiNorth - a network and information platform • Started in 2000 • Building on previous networks • A journal, four annual issues, 5000 copies • A low-tech web site with 5000 monthly visitors • Editors • Editorial Board • Editorial Secretariat • www.epinorth.org • Funding by Nordic Council of Ministers

  7. EpiNorth - present modules • EpiNorth - a peer-reviewed scientific journal (paper + www) • EpiData - an annual report of communicable diseases for Northern Europe (paper + www) • EpiVax - a guide to the vaccination programmes in Northern Europe (www)

  8. EpiNorth - future modules • EpiNews - a dynamic news service on outbreaks and trends (www) • EpiTrain - a training programme in communicable disease epidemiology (www) • EpiLinks - a library of web links (www)

  9. Why important? • Common problems • Cross-border problems • international outbreaks • Movement of people • EU membership • Trade in food and animals

  10. Conclusions • More information exchange is needed between East and West in Northern Europe • EpiNorth is a useful tool • Both Russian and English is needed • Visit EpiNorth at www.epinorth.org

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