The surveillance of communicable diseases in the European Union--a long-term strategy (2008-2013).

This article presents the steps and considerations that led to the development of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control s (ECDC) long-term strategy for the surveillance of communicable diseases in the European Union (EU) for the years 2008 to 2013. Furthermore, it outlines the key features of the strategy that was approved by the ECDC s Management Board in December 2007.