 |
This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (March 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
|
The Health Threat Unit of the Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection (European Commission), is responsible for terrorism surveillance and early warning of biological, chemical, and radiological threats within the European Union. The Health Threat Unit runs the Rapid Alert System, which conducts surveillance on communicable diseases and diseases caused by acts of bioterrorism. The surveillance data are coordinated and evaluated by the Health Emergency Operations Facility. Health threat information and warnings are sent to the member states by the Communication and Crisis Center (BICHAT) and the Security Office in Brussels, Belgium.[citation needed]
The BICHAT sends a warning to the EU member states, within one hour of receiving a warning, when there is:[citation needed]
Besides bioterrorism, the Health Threat Unit also has responsibility for other reportable diseases:[citation needed]
Within the Health Threat Unit, there are seven working groups responsible for various aspects of bio-defense:[citation needed]
