EU plan to fight diseases

The centre would coordinate efforts against Sars or similar diseases

The European Union is to set up an institute to fight Sars and other serious diseases.

The proposed European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC) would also coordinate efforts in the event of a bioterrorist attack.

It would issue scientific advice on serious health threats and recommend measures to be taken at an EU level.

The centre would rely on expert advice from existing national centres.

Sars outbreak

The proposed centre would mirror a similar body in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The plans have been backed by the European Commission. It hopes that the centre will be operational by 2005 with a staff of about 100 people.

By contrast, the US body employs some 8,000 staff.

An EU centre to fight diseases was originally proposed in May at the height of the Sars outbreak.

In terms of communicable diseases, we find ourselves with 19th century instruments to deal with threats of the 21st century David Byrne, European Health Commissioner

European Health Commission David Byrne said Sars had been a "wake-up call" for the EU.

"In terms of communicable diseases, we find ourselves with 19th century instruments to deal with threats of the 21st century," he said.

"If communicable diseases do not respect national borders, then neither should preventive and control measures.

"Sars was a 'wake-up call' for Europe to get better prepared and to substantially enforce cooperation at an EU-level."

EU-wide approach

Mr Byrne said the centre would enable the EU to coordinate its response to any epidemics.

"The EU and member states had a system in place to monitor the spread of the Sars virus but no system for advising on - let alone deciding - EU-wide measures to contain it.

"In today's Europe, where millions of people cross national borders each day, we need rapid, coordinated action at EU-level to protect our citizens," he said.

"The ECDC will help the EU and its member states to respond more quickly and effectively to disease outbreaks to be better prepared against epidemics and bioterrorist attacks."

He rejected suggestions that the centre could order people to be quarantined in the event of a major disease outbreak.

He told journalists that such powers would "remain strictly of the competence of member states."