# The ‘Epidemiological Report’ Package

#### European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)

## Description

The EpiReport package allows the user to draft an epidemiological report similar to the ECDC Annual Epidemiological Report (AER) (see https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/monitoring/all-annual-epidemiological-reports) in Microsoft Word format for a given disease.

Through standalone functions, the package is specifically designed to generate each disease-specific output presented in these reports, using ECDC Atlas export data.

Package details below:

Package | Description
--- | ---
Version | 1.0.4
Published | 2025-04-18
Authors | Lore Merdrignac l.merdrignac@epiconcept.fr, Author of the package and original code Tommi Karki tommi.karki@ecdc.europa.eu, Esther Kissling e.kissling@epiconcept.fr, Joana Gomes Dias joana.gomes.dias@ecdc.europa.eu, Project manager
Maintainer | Lore Merdrignac l.merdrignac@epiconcept.fr
License | EUPL
Link to the ECDC AER reports | https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/monitoring/all-annual-epidemiological-reports https://epiconcept-paris.github.io/EpiReport/

## Background

ECDC’s annual epidemiological report is available as a series of individual epidemiological disease reports. Reports are published on the ECDC website https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/publications-data/monitoring/all-annual-epidemiological-reports as they become available.

The year given in the title of the report (i.e. ‘Annual epidemiological report for 2016’) refers to the year the data were collected. Reports are usually available for publication one year after data collection is complete.

All reports are based on data collected through The European Surveillance System (TESSy)1 and exported from the ECDC Atlas. Countries participating in disease surveillance submit their data electronically.

The communicable diseases and related health issues covered by the reports are under European Union and European Economic Area disease surveillance2 3 4 5.

ECDC’s annual surveillance reports provide a wealth of epidemiological data to support decision-making at the national level. They are mainly intended for public health professionals and policymakers involved in disease prevention and control programmes.

## 1. Datasets to be used in the Epidemiological Report package

### 1.1. Disease dataset specification

Two types of datasets can be used:

- The default dataset included in the `EpiReport` package which includes Salmonellosis data for 2012-2016: `EpiReport::SALM2016`;
- Any dataset specified as described below.

Description of each variable required in the disease dataset (naming and format):

- `HealthTopicCode`: Character string, disease code (see also the reports parameter table Tab.3);
- `MeasurePopulation`: Character string, population characteristics (e.g. All cases, Confirmed cases, Serotype AGONA, Serotype BAREILLY etc.).
- `MeasureCode`: Character string, code of the indicators available (e.g. ALL.COUNT, ALL.RATE, CONFIRMED.AGESTANDARDISED.RATE etc.);
- `TimeUnit`: Character string, unit of the time variable `TimeCode` (e.g. `M` for monthly data, `Y` for yearly data).
- `TimeCode`: Character string, time variable including dates in any formats available i.e. yearly data (e.g. 2001) or monthly data (e.g. 2001-01);
- `GeoCode`: Character string, geographical level in coded format (e.g. `AT` for Austria, `BE` for Belgium, `BG` for Bulgaria, see also the `EpiReport::MSCode` table, correspondence table for Member State labels and codes);
- `XLabel`: The label associated with the x-axis in the epidemiological report (see `getAgeGender()` and `plotAgeGender()` bar graph for the age variable);
- `YLabel`: The label associated with the y-axis in the epidemiological report (see `getAgeGender()` and `plotAgeGender()` bar graph for the grouping variable gender);
- `ZValue`: The value associated with the stratification of `XLabel` and `YLabel` in the age and gender bar graph (see `getAgeGender()` and `plotAgeGender()`);
- `YValue`: The value associated with the y-axis in the epidemiological report (see `plotAge` bar graph for the variable age, or `getTableByMS()` for the number of cases, rate or age-standardised rate in the table by Member States by year);
- `N`: Integer, number of cases (see `getTrend()` and `getSeason()` line graph).

Tab.1 Example of Salmonellosis data 2012-2016
HealthTopicCode | MeasurePopulation | MeasureCode | TimeUnit | TimeCode | GeoCode | XLabel | YLabel | ZValue | YValue | N
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
SALM | Confirmed cases | CONFIRMED.AGE.PROPORTION | M | 2014-03 | CY | 45-64 | NA | NA | 0.000000 | 7
SALM | Confirmed cases | CONFIRMED.AGE.COUNT | M | 2013-05 | UK | 45-64 | NA | NA | 164.000000 | 624
SALM | Confirmed cases | CONFIRMED.AGE.COUNT | M | 2016-04 | BE | 5-14 | NA | NA | 54.000000 | 189
SALM | Confirmed cases | CONFIRMED.AGE_GENDER.PROPORTION | Y | 2013 | NO | 0-4 | Female | 3.526819 | 2.000000 | 1361
SALM | Confirmed cases | CONFIRMED.AGE.PROPORTION | M | 2015-09 | EL | 15-24 | NA | NA | 4.347826 | 71
SALM | Confirmed cases | CONFIRMED.AGE.COUNT | M | 2013-08 | CZ | 25-44 | NA | NA | 226.000000 | 1432
SALM | Confirmed cases | CONFIRMED.AGE_GENDER.PROPORTION | Y | 2013 | EU_EEA31 | 65+ | Male | 6.653279 | 1.000000 | 81081
SALM | Confirmed cases | CONFIRMED.AGE.COUNT | M | 2014-02 | EU28 | 65+ | NA | NA | 653.000000 | 4097
SALM | Confirmed cases | CONFIRMED.AGE.RATE | M | 2014-01 | CY | 15-24 | NA | NA | 0.000000 | 3
SALM | Confirmed cases | CONFIRMED.AGE_GENDER.RATE | Y | 2013 | AT | 25-44 | Female | 10.123113 | 2.000000 | 1404

### 1.2. Report parameters dataset specification

The internal dataset `EpiReport::AERparams` describes the parameters to be used for each output of each disease report.

If the user wishes to set different parameters for one of the 53 covered health topics, or if the user wishes to analyse an additional disease not covered by the default parameter table, it is possible to use an external dataset as long as it is specified as described below and in the help page `?EpiReport::AERparams`. All functions of the `EpiReport` package can then be fed with this specific parameter table.

List of the main parameters included:

- `HealthTopic`: Character string, disease code that should match with the health topic code from the disease-specific dataset (see Tab.1)
- `MeasurePopulation`: Character string, population to present in the report: either `ALL` cases or `CONFIRMED` cases only.
- `TableUse`: Character string, specifying whether to include the table in the epidemiological report and which table to include:
  - `NO`: No table included
  - `COUNT`: Table presenting the number of cases by Member State by year
  - `RATE`: Table presenting the rates of cases by Member State by year
  - `ASR`: Table presenting the age-standardised rates of cases by Member State by year
- `AgeGenderUse`: Character string, specifying whether to include the age and gender bar graph in the epidemiological report and which type of graph to include:
  - `NO`: No graph included
  - `AG-COUNT`: Bar graph presenting the number of cases by age and gender
  - `AG-RATE`: Bar graph presenting the rates of cases by age and gender
  - `AG-PROP`: Bar graph presenting the proportion of cases by age and gender
  - `A-RATE`: Bar graph presenting the rates of cases by age
- `TSTrendGraphUse`: Yes/No, specifying whether to include a line graph describing the trend of the disease over the time.
- `TSSeasonalityGraphUse`: Yes/No, specifying whether to include a line graph describing the seasonality of the disease.
- `MapNumbersUse`: Yes/No, specifying whether to include the map presenting the number of cases by Member State.
- `MapRatesUse`: Yes/No, specifying whether to include the map presenting the rates of cases by Member State.
- `MapASRUse`: Yes/No, specifying whether to include the map presenting the age-standardised rates of cases by Member State.

Tab.2 Example of the main columns of the parameter dataset
HealthTopic | MeasurePopulation | TableUse | AgeGenderUse | TSTrendGraphUse | TSSeasonalityGraphUse | MapNumbersUse | MapRatesUse | MapASRUse
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
TBE | CONFIRMED | ASR | AG-RATE | Y | Y | N | Y | N
YELF | CONFIRMED | NO | NO | N | N | N | N | N
CCHF | ALL | COUNT | NO | N | N | N | N | N
ARENA | NA | NO | NO | N | N | N | N | N
PNEU | CONFIRMED | ASR | AG-RATE | Y | Y | Y | Y | N

### 1.3. Member States correspondence table dataset

The internal dataset `EpiReport::MSCode` provides the correspondence table of the geographical code `GeoCode` used in the disease dataset, and the geographical label `Country` to use throughout the report. Additional information on the EU/EEA affiliation is also available in column `EUEEA`.

Tab.3 Example of geographical codes and associated labels
Country | GeoCode | EUEEA | TheCountry
--- | --- | --- | ---
Norway | NO | EEA | Norway
Liechtenstein | LI | EEA | Liechtenstein
Croatia | HR | EU | Croatia
Netherlands | NL | EU | the Netherlands
Germany | DE | EU | Germany

## 2. How to generate the Epidemiological Report in Microsoft Word format

To generate a similar report to the Annual Epidemiological Report, we can use the default dataset included in the `EpiReport` package presenting Salmonellosis data 2012-2016.

Calling the function `getAER()`, the Salmonellosis 2016 report will be generated and stored in your working directory (see `getwd()`) by default.

    getAER()

Please specify the full path to the output folder if necessary:

    output <- "C:/EpiReport/doc/"
    getAER(outputPath = output)

### 2.1. External disease dataset

To generate the report using an external dataset, please use the syntax below.

In the following example, Pertussis 2016 TESSy data (in csv format, in the `/data` folder) is used to produce the corresponding report.

Pertussis PNG maps have previously been created and stored in a specific folder `/maps`.

    # --- Importing the dataset
    PERT2016 <- read.table("data/PERT2016.csv",
                           sep = ",",
                           header = TRUE,
                           stringsAsFactors = FALSE)

    # --- Specifying the folder containing pertussis maps
    pathMap <- paste(getwd(), "/maps", sep = "")

    # --- (optional) Setting the local language in English for month label
    Sys.setlocale("LC_TIME", "C")
    #> [1] "C"

    # --- Producing the report
    EpiReport::getAER(disease = "PERT",
           year = 2016,
           x = PERT2016,
           pathPNG = pathMap)

Please note that the font `Tahoma` is used in the plot axis and legend. It is advised to import this font using the `extrafont` package and the command `font_import` and `loadfonts`.

However, if the users prefer the use of the default `Arial` in plots, it is optional. In that case, warnings will appear in the console for each plot.

### 2.2. Word template

By default, an empty ECDC template (Microsoft Word) is used to produce the report. In order to modify this template, please first download the default template using the function `getTemplate()`.

You can store this Microsoft Word template in a specific folder `/template`.

    getTemplate(output_path = "C:/EpiReport/template")

Then, apply the modifications required, save it and use it as a new Microsoft Word template when producing the epidemiological report as described below.

    getAER(template = "C:/EpiReport/template/New_AER_Template.docx",
           outputPath = "C:/EpiReport/doc/")

Please make sure that the Microsoft Word bookmarks are preserved throughout the modifications to the template. The bookmarks specify the location where to include each output.

### 2.3. Word bookmarks

Each epidemiological output will be included in the Word template in the corresponding report chapter. The `EpiReport` package relies on Microsoft Word bookmarks to specify the exact location where to include each output.

The list of bookmarks recognised by the `EpiReport` package are:

- YEAR
- DISEASE
- DATEPUBLICATLAS
- TABLE1_CAPTION
- TABLE1
- MAP_NB_CAPTION
- MAP_NB
- MAP_RATE_CAPTION
- MAP_RATE
- MAP_ASR_CAPTION
- MAP_ASR
- TS_TREND_CAPTION
- TS_TREND
- TS_TREND_COUNTRIES
- TS_SEASON_CAPTION
- TS_SEASON
- TS_SEASON_COUNTRIES
- BARGPH_AGEGENDER_CAPTION
- BARGPH_AGEGENDER
- BARGPH_AGE_CAPTION
- BARGPH_AGE

## 3. How to generate each epidemiological outputs independently

The `EpiReport` package allows the user to generate each epidemiological output independently of the Microsoft Word report.

The ECDC annual epidemiological Report includes five types of outputs:

- Table: Distribution of cases by Member State over the last five years with:
  - the number of cases only;
  - the number of cases and the corresponding rate per 100 000 population or
  - the number of cases, the rate and the age-standardised rate per 100 000 population.
- Seasonality plot: Distribution of cases at EU/EEA level, by month, over the past five years.
- Trend plot: Trend and number of cases at EU/EEA level, by month, over the past five years.
- Map: Distribution of cases by Member State presenting either:
  - the number of cases;
  - the rates per 100 000 population;
  - the age-standardised rates per 100 000 population.
- Age and gender bar graph: Distribution of cases at EU/EEA level:
  - by age and gender and using:
    - the number of cases
    - the rate
    - the proportion of cases
  - by age only and using the rate.

### 3.1. Table: distribution of cases by Member State

The function `getTableByMS()` generates a `flextable` object (see package `flextable`) presenting the number of cases by Member State over the last five years.

By default, the function will use the internal Salmonellosis 2012-2016 data and present the number of confirmed cases and the corresponding rate for each year, with a focus on 2016 and age-standardised rates.

    EpiReport::getTableByMS()

Country | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Number | Rate | Number | Rate | Number | Rate | Number | Rate | Number | Rate | ASR
Austria | 103 | 1.2 | 116 | 1.3 | 85 | 1.0 | 85 | 1.0 | 142 | 1.6 | 1.7
Belgium | 108 | 1.0 | 114 | 1.0 | 77 | 0.7 | 101 | 0.9 | 202 | 1.8 | 1.9
Bulgaria | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | .
Croatia | - | - | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 0.0 | 4 | 0.1 | 0.1
Cyprus | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | .
Czechia | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0
Denmark | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | .
Estonia | 12 | 0.9 | 9 | 0.7 | 8 | 0.6 | 6 | 0.5 | 6 | 0.5 | 0.5
Finland | 54 | 1.0 | 66 | 1.2 | 25 | 0.5 | 56 | 1.0 | 81 | 1.5 | 1.6
France | 285 | 0.4 | 373 | 0.6 | 266 | 0.4 | 331 | 0.5 | 904 | 1.3 | 1.4
Germany | 722 | 0.9 | 958 | 1.2 | 635 | 0.8 | 614 | 0.7 | 1175 | 1.4 | 1.5
Greece | 2 | 0.0 | 2 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.0 | 2 | 0.0 | 10 | 0.1 | 0.1
Hungary | 12 | 0.1 | 24 | 0.2 | 17 | 0.2 | 14 | 0.1 | 44 | 0.5 | 0.5
Iceland | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.3 | 1 | 0.3 | 4 | 1.1 | 1.1
Ireland | 8 | 0.2 | 18 | 0.4 | 10 | 0.2 | 17 | 0.4 | 18 | 0.4 | 0.4
Italy | 103 | 0.2 | 106 | 0.2 | 95 | 0.2 | 108 | 0.2 | 231 | 0.4 | 0.4
Latvia | 4 | 0.2 | 9 | 0.5 | 13 | 0.7 | 12 | 0.6 | 11 | 0.6 | 0.6
Liechtenstein | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | .
Lithuania | 9 | 0.3 | 4 | 0.1 | 4 | 0.1 | 8 | 0.3 | 9 | 0.3 | 0.4
Luxembourg | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.2 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0.2 | 1 | 0.2 | 0.2
Malta | 1 | 0.2 | 1 | 0.2 | 3 | 0.7 | 1 | 0.2 | 2 | 0.4 | 0.4
Netherlands | 18 | - | 6 | - | 0 | - | 0 | - | 0 | - | -
Norway | 98 | 1.9 | 64 | 1.2 | 35 | 0.7 | 49 | 0.9 | 102 | 1.9 | 2.0
Poland | 12 | 0.0 | 41 | 0.1 | 29 | 0.1 | 30 | 0.1 | 55 | 0.1 | 0.1
Portugal | 14 | 0.1 | 13 | 0.1 | 11 | 0.1 | 14 | 0.1 | 30 | 0.3 | 0.3
Romania | 7 | 0.0 | 8 | 0.0 | 7 | 0.0 | 4 | 0.0 | 15 | 0.1 | 0.1
Slovakia | 2 | 0.0 | 4 | 0.1 | 2 | 0.0 | 7 | 0.1 | 6 | 0.1 | 0.1
Slovenia | 3 | 0.1 | 6 | 0.3 | 5 | 0.2 | 8 | 0.4 | 21 | 1.0 | 1.1
Spain | 168 | 0.4 | 261 | 0.6 | 128 | 0.3 | 205 | 0.4 | 228 | 0.5 | 0.5
Sweden | 159 | 1.6 | 225 | 2.3 | 106 | 1.1 | 106 | 1.0 | 235 | 2.3 | 2.4
United Kingdom | 423 | 0.7 | 468 | 0.7 | 465 | 0.7 | 432 | 0.7 | 827 | 1.2 | 1.3
EU-EEA | 2327 | 0.5 | 2899 | 0.6 | 2028 | 0.4 | 2214 | 0.5 | 4363 | 0.9 | 0.9

Table. Distribution of confirmed salmonellosis cases, EU/EEA, 2012-2016

This table can be drafted using external data, and specifying the disease code and the year to use as reference in the report.

In the example below, we use Zika virus data. According to the report parameters, the table for this disease should present the number of reported cases over the last five years and by Member State.

    ZIKV2016 <- read.table("data/ZIKV2016.csv",
                           sep = ",",
                           header = TRUE,
                           stringsAsFactors = FALSE)
    EpiReport::getTableByMS(x = ZIKV2016,
                 disease = "ZIKV",
                 year = 2016)

Country | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Number | Number | Number
Austria | - | - | - | 1 | 41
Belgium | - | - | - | 1 | 120
Bulgaria | . | . | . | . | .
Croatia | . | . | . | . | .
Cyprus | . | . | . | . | .
Czechia | - | - | - | - | 13
Denmark | - | - | - | - | 8
Estonia | - | - | - | - | 0
Finland | - | - | - | 1 | 6
France | - | - | - | - | 1141
Germany | . | . | . | . | .
Greece | - | - | - | - | 4
Hungary | - | - | - | - | 2
Iceland | . | . | . | . | .
Ireland | - | - | - | 1 | 15
Italy | - | - | - | - | 101
Latvia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
Liechtenstein | . | . | . | . | .
Lithuania | . | . | . | . | .
Luxembourg | - | - | - | - | 2
Malta | - | - | - | - | 2
Netherlands | - | - | - | 11 | 98
Norway | - | - | - | - | 8
Poland | . | . | . | . | .
Portugal | - | - | - | - | 18
Romania | - | - | - | - | 3
Slovakia | - | - | - | - | 3
Slovenia | - | - | - | - | 7
Spain | - | - | - | 10 | 301
Sweden | - | - | - | 1 | 34
United Kingdom | - | - | - | 3 | 194
EU-EEA | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 2121

Table. Distribution of Zika virus infection cases, EU/EEA, 2012-2016

### 3.2. Seasonality plot: distribution of cases by month

The function `getSeason()` generates a ggplot (see package `ggplot2`) presenting the distribution of cases at EU/EEA level, by month, over the past five years.

The plot includes:

- The number of cases by month in the reference year (green solid line)
- The mean number of cases by month in the four previous years (grey dashed line)
- The minimum number of cases by month in the four previous years (grey area)
- The maximum number of cases by month in the four previous years (grey area)

By default, the function will use the internal Salmonellosis 2012-2016 data.

    # --- Salmonellosis 2016 plot
    EpiReport::getSeason()

Figure. Distribution of confirmed salmonellosis cases by month, EU/EEA, 2016 and 2012-2015

The plot can also be drafted using external data, and specifying the disease dataset, the disease code and the year to use as reference in the report.

In the example below, we use Pertussis 2012-2016 data.

    # --- Pertussis 2016 plot
    EpiReport::getSeason(x = PERT2016,
                         disease = "PERT",
                         year = 2016)

Figure. Distribution of pertussis cases by month, EU/EEA, 2016 and 2012-2015

### 3.3. Trend plot: trend and number of cases by month

The function `getTrend()` generates a ggplot (see package `ggplot2`) presenting the trend and the number of cases at EU/EEA level, by month, over the past five years.

The plot includes:

- The number of cases by month over the 5-year period (grey solid line)
- The 12-month moving average of the number of cases by month (green solid line)

By default, the function will use the internal Salmonellosis 2012-2016 data.

    # --- Salmonellosis 2016 plot
    EpiReport::getTrend()

Figure. Trend and number of confirmed salmonellosis cases, EU/EEA by month, 2012-2016

The plot can also be drafted using external data, and specifying the disease dataset, the disease code and the year to use as reference in the report.

In the example below, we use again Pertussis 2012-2016 data.

    # --- Pertussis 2016 plot
    EpiReport::getTrend(x = PERT2016,
                        disease = "PERT",
                        year = 2016)

Figure. Trend and number of pertussis cases, EU/EEA by month, 2012-2016

### 3.4. Maps: distribution of cases by Member State

The function `getMap()` provides with a preview of the PNG map associated with the disease.

By default, the function will use the internal Salmonellosis 2016 PNG maps. According to the report parameters, the corresponding map should present the notification rate of confirmed salmonellosis cases.

    # --- Salmonellosis 2016 map
    EpiReport::getMap()

Figure. Distribution of confirmed salmonellosis cases per 100 000 population by country, EU/EEA, 2016

The map can also be included using external PNG files, and specifying the disease code and the year to use as reference in the report. The corresponding syntax is described below (pertussis map not available).

    # --- Pertussis 2016 map
    EpiReport::getMap(disease = "PERT",
                      year = 2016,
                      pathPNG = "C:/EpiReport/maps/")

### 3.5. Age and gender bar graph

The function `getAgeGender()` generates a ggplot (see package `ggplot2`) presenting in a bar graph the distribution of cases at EU/EEA level by age and gender.

The bar graph uses either:

- The number of cases,
- The rate per 100 000 cases,
- The proportion of cases.

By default, the function will use the internal Salmonellosis 2012-2016 data with the rate of confirmed cases per 100 000 population.

    # --- Salmonellosis 2016 bar graph
    EpiReport::getAgeGender()

Figure. Distribution of confirmed salmonellosis cases per 100 000 population, by age and gender, EU/EEA, 2016

The bar graph can also be drafted using external data, and specifying the disease dataset, the disease code and the year to use as reference in the report.

In the example below, we use Zika 2012-2016 data.

    # --- Zika 2016 bar graph
    EpiReport::getAgeGender(x = ZIKV2016,
                            disease = "ZIKV",
                            year = 2016)

Figure. Distribution of Zika virus infection proportion (%), by age and gender, EU/EEA, 2016

1. The European Surveillance System (TESSy) is a system for the collection, analysis and dissemination of data on communicable diseases. EU Member States and EEA countries contribute to the system by uploading their infectious disease surveillance data at regular intervals.↩︎

2. 2000/96/EC: Commission Decision of 22 December 1999 on the communicable diseases to be progressively covered by the Community network under Decision No 2119/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. Official Journal, OJ L 28, 03.02.2000, p. 50-53.↩︎

3. 2003/534/EC: Commission Decision of 17 July 2003 amending Decision No 2119/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Decision 2000/96/EC as regards communicable diseases listed in those decisions and amending Decision 2002/253/EC as regards the case definitions for communicable diseases. Official Journal, OJ L 184, 23.07.2003, p. 35-39.↩︎

4. 2007/875/EC: Commission Decision of 18 December 2007 amending Decision No 2119/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Decision 2000/96/EC as regards communicable diseases listed in those decisions. Official Journal, OJ L 344, 28.12.2007, p. 48-49.↩︎

5. Commission Decision 2119/98/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 1998 setting up a network for the epidemiological surveillance and control of communicable diseases in the Community. Official Journal, OJ L 268, 03/10/1998 p. 1-7.↩︎