EU Reference Laboratory in public health in the field of food- and water-borne bacteria

Food- and waterborne bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, Shigella, E. coli, and Campylobacter pose serious public health risks, causing cross-border outbreaks and straining healthcare systems. In response to this, the European Union Reference Laboratory for public health on food- and waterborne bacteria (EURL-PH-FWDB) was designated under Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/2959. Denmark's Statens Serum Institut (SSI), the Netherlands' National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), and Italy's National Institute of Health (ISS) will undertake the role and functions of the EURL. The EURL will closely collaborate with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) to ensure an effective response to disease threats. In coordination with ECDC, the EURL will support laboratories in the food- and waterborne disease network (FWD-Net) by promoting best practices and harmonising diagnostics, surveillance, and outbreak response, aligning with Regulation (EU) 2022/2371 and the EU4Health Programme's goal of strengthening EU-wide health threat preparedness and response. The EURL has three main objectives: (1) Strengthen collaboration between network laboratories to enhance knowledge sharing, standardise testing, and improve surveillance and outbreak response; (2) Provide targeted training and technical support to align laboratories with international standards; and (3) Foster global collaboration through a One Health approach to address zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and climate-related health risks. The EURL's methodology builds on previous consortium experiences, incorporating established templates, procedures, and evaluation mechanisms for efficiency. Coordination with ECDC and other stakeholders will ensure a unified response to emerging challenges, while continuous feedback will keep the project dynamic and responsive to evolving needs.