Virus Threats in Europe: Surveillance and Response

Europe’s high population density and status as a global hub for travel and trade create a fertile environment for the transmission of viral diseases. The interconnectedness of its nations means that an outbreak in one area can rapidly become a continent-wide concern, a reality that has shaped public health approaches. The region has a long history of confronting viral threats, which has driven the development of sophisticated systems to monitor and respond to them. This dynamic landscape requires constant vigilance and adaptation to manage both familiar seasonal viruses and novel pathogens.

Prominent Viruses of Concern in Europe

Europe regularly contends with several respiratory viruses that pose a significant public health challenge, particularly during autumn and winter. Influenza viruses are a primary concern, with seasonal epidemics causing widespread illness. The 2024-2025 season saw co-circulation of both influenza A and B viruses, with influenza A(H3) being a common type. Transmission occurs through respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing, leading to symptoms like fever and muscle aches that can result in severe illness, especially in adults over 45.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is another major pathogen, recognized as a leading cause of hospitalization in infants and young children. It also poses a heightened risk to older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems. The 2024-2025 season was characterized by a protracted RSV epidemic in the EU/EEA, with some countries experiencing later-than-usual seasons. Like influenza, RSV spreads through respiratory droplets and direct contact, causing cold-like symptoms that can progress to severe conditions like bronchiolitis and pneumonia in vulnerable populations.

While SARS-CoV-2 activity has remained at low levels in the EU/EEA into 2025, it continues to be monitored as a persistent threat. The potential for new variants to emerge keeps it on the public health radar, as these could possess increased transmissibility or severity. Vaccination remains a protective measure, credited with saving an estimated 1.6 million lives in the WHO European Region between late 2020 and March 2023. Europe also faces threats from vaccine-preventable diseases like measles and diphtheria, and imported vector-borne diseases such as chikungunya, which saw an outbreak in France in 2024-2025.

Europe’s Coordinated Virus Surveillance and Early Warning Systems

Europe’s defense against viral threats relies on a surveillance network coordinated by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Established in 2005 after the SARS-CoV-1 outbreak, the ECDC works with national public health institutes to monitor and assess communicable disease threats. This system is built on two pillars: indicator-based surveillance for routine data collection, and event-based surveillance, which detects and assesses unusual public health events from various sources.

The ECDC operates a surveillance network for approximately 50 diseases, using standardized case definitions to ensure data from different countries is comparable. This epidemiological surveillance is complemented by virological and genomic surveillance, which tracks the genetic changes in viruses. National laboratories collaborate within networks like the Emerging Viral Diseases-Expert Laboratory Network (EVD-LabNet) to support the early detection of new and re-emerging viruses. This allows for a detailed understanding of circulating viruses.

A component is the Early Warning and Response System (EWRS), a secure web-based platform for near-real-time communication between the ECDC, the European Commission, and national health authorities. When a member state identifies a public health event with cross-border implications, it must post an alert on the system. This triggers information sharing and coordination, allowing for rapid risk assessments and aligned national responses. The system has been updated to incorporate technologies for digital contact tracing and crisis management.

To enhance surveillance, the ECDC and WHO/Europe jointly developed the European Respiratory Virus Surveillance Summary (ERVISS). This interactive dashboard provides consolidated data on influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2, supporting public health decision-makers with timely summaries. This tool is part of a broader effort to transition from mass testing to more sustainable, integrated surveillance systems capable of monitoring multiple respiratory pathogens simultaneously.

Public Health Response Frameworks Across European Nations

Once a viral threat is identified, European nations activate public health response frameworks. While specific measures are a national responsibility, they often align with broader EU guidelines. Vaccination programs are a foundational element of this response, focusing on the availability and uptake of vaccines for vulnerable populations. The response to seasonal influenza, for example, involves annual campaigns to vaccinate older adults, pregnant women, and those with chronic health conditions.

Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) are a common part of the public health toolkit, aiming to reduce transmission by altering public behavior. These measures include hygiene recommendations, guidance on wearing masks, and policies for physical distancing. During significant outbreaks, authorities may also implement restrictions on large gatherings or travel. The specific NPIs deployed and their stringency can vary between countries, reflecting local epidemiological situations and legal frameworks.

Effective public health communication is another central pillar of the response. National authorities, often supported by ECDC guidance, engage in communication campaigns to inform the public about health risks and the rationale behind control measures. These efforts are designed to build trust and encourage adherence to public health advice. This includes disseminating information on symptoms, transmission routes, and preventive actions.

Healthcare system preparedness is also a focus of national response frameworks. This involves planning for potential surges in patient numbers by ensuring adequate hospital capacity, including intensive care beds and trained staff. Developing and updating clinical treatment protocols based on the latest scientific evidence is another aspect of this preparedness. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for robust surge capacity, prompting many nations to strengthen these systems.

Cross-Border Collaboration and Pandemic Preparedness in Europe

The understanding that infectious diseases transcend borders is fundamental to Europe’s health security, leading to robust mechanisms for cross-border collaboration. A primary example is the joint procurement of medical countermeasures, a framework developed after the H1N1 pandemic. This allows EU member states to purchase vaccines and antiviral drugs together. This ensures more equitable access and strengthens the collective bargaining power of the bloc.

In response to lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, the EU established the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) in 2021. HERA’s mission is to anticipate health threats and ensure the development, production, and distribution of medicines, vaccines, and other medical supplies. With a budget of €6 billion for 2022–2027, HERA works to prevent shortages and bolster EU resilience by investing in research and strengthening supply chains.

HERA is a central component of the broader European Health Union, an initiative designed to improve the EU’s capacity for prevention, preparedness, and response. This includes strengthening the mandate of the ECDC and fostering close collaboration between HERA, the ECDC, and the European Medicines Agency (EMA). These bodies work in concert to monitor threats, assess risks, and ensure medical countermeasures are available and authorized in a timely manner.

International cooperation extends beyond the EU’s borders, with HERA actively building partnerships with global stakeholders like the WHO and national authorities in the U.S. and Japan. These collaborations focus on enhancing global surveillance, addressing supply chain vulnerabilities, and supporting lower-income countries. By investing in initiatives like global clinical trial networks, Europe aims to create a response ecosystem that can be rapidly activated to address emerging pathogens globally.