Press Release: EU steps up action on novel flu virus

The Commission is leading EU Member States' coordination efforts to exchange information on surveillance, case definition and measures taken by EU countries to respond to this novel flu virus. The situation is changing rapidly and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is monitoring the situations on a continuous basis. The Commission holds daily audio meetings with the EU's Health Security Committee and national contact points of the Early Warning Rapid Alert System (EWRS) with the aim of adopting a common guidance document on managing the novel flu virus. This will include information on the case definition, advice to travellers and management of cases. Earlier this week health Commissioner, Androulla Vassiliou called for an extraordinary Health Ministers' meeting which will take place in Luxembourg today. The meeting will discuss further common approaches to tackling the novel flu virus including countermeasures such as anti-virals and vaccines.