Community engagement for public health events caused by communicable disease threats in the EU/EEA

This guidance document was developed in the context of EU Decision 1082/2013/EU on serious cross-border threats to health, and includes findings and guidance derived from an ECDC project on community preparedness (2016–2019). This comprised of a: • a literature review • case studies on community engagement during tick-borne disease events in Spain (Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever, or CCHF) and the Netherlands (Tick-Borne Encephalitis, or TBE), and on outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in Ireland (Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli, or VTEC) and Iceland (norovirus) • an expert consultation on community engagement in public health emergency situations. The resulting empirically-derived guidance on community engagement for public health emergency preparedness is intended for public health authorities in EU/EEA Member States. The guidance is meant to provide step-by-step technical support to Member States who are initiating or professionalising their core community engagement capacity. The guidance is organised according to the three core stages of the preparedness cycle: anticipation, response, and recovery.