Public health threats

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) supports global efforts to respond to existing and emerging public health threats. These include antimicrobial resistance, biological and chemical threats and emergencies such as outbreaks or pandemics. EMA has a number of mechanisms in place to contribute to global responses to such challenges.

In this section

EMA's work on public health emergencies

How EMA prepares for and works during public health emergencies. Includes information on EMA's health threats plan and its Emergency Task Force (ETF).

Mpox

Information on EMA's role in monitoring the evolution and spread of the mpox disease and ensuring availability of critical medicines, devices and vaccines

Avian influenza (bird flu)

Global collaboration to monitor the risk of avian influenza, also known as bird flu. This is a viral disease seriously affecting birds and which can have economic consequences for poultry farmers

Antimicrobial resistance

Actions to combat the global public health threat posed by the increase of microbes resistant to antimicrobial treatments. Antimicrobial resistance endangers the effective treatment of infectious diseases

Biological and chemical threats

Guidance on the use of medicines for treatment and prevention in case of exposure to biological or chemical agents used for terrorism, crime or warfare

Ebola

Information on the global response to the 2018-2019 Ebola outbreak

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

Information on COVID-19 medicines and on the global response to the 2020-2023 COVID-19 public health emergency of international concern

Zika

Information on the global response to the 2016 Zika public health emergency of international concern

Pandemic influenza

Information on the 2009 (H1N1) influenza pandemic and details about influenza vaccines and antiviral medicines

Falsified medicines

Collaboration to implement the EU Directive on falsified medicines for human use. They are fake medicines that pass themselves off as real

Emergency Task Force (ETF)

The ETF helps EMA prepare adequate and robust responses to potential health threats

Learn about ETF

Medicine shortages

Improving the availability of medicines authorised in the EU is a key priority for EMA as medicine shortages and related issues can potentially seriously impact human and animal health

Read about medicine shortages