[Tropical arboviral diseases and their implications for Europe: role of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)].

ropical arboviral diseases are a major public health concern. Recurrent outbreaks of West Nile fever with appearance of different viral strains and the recent 2007 epidemic of Chikungunya in Italy serve as reminders that Europe is not spared by this problem. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) is active in evaluating potential arboviruses risks and determining the proper responses. This action is based on the shared knowledge and expertise of the European Union member states. The ECDC works through several networks that it coordinates (laboratory, travel medicine, entomological expertise) and through targeted European research projects.