The PANDEM-2 Simulation Exercise: Training the Coordinated Response to a Large-Scale Pandemic in 2 European Public...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Emergency Preparedness
• Health Informatics

Background:

• The EU-funded PANDEM-2 project developed new IT solutions for pandemic response.
• A coordinated European response is crucial for large-scale pandemic events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the PANDEM-2 IT solutions through a functional exercise (FX).
• To train coordinated response capabilities for a major pandemic event in Europe.

Main Methods:

• The FX design followed the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) simulation exercise cycle.
• The exercise involved a 2-day simulation at German and Dutch public health institutes, based on a novel H5N1 influenza scenario.

Main Results:

• The FX involved 17 participants from Germany and the Netherlands, supported by 9 international partners from 8 countries.
• Participants and observers confirmed that the exercise objectives were met.

Conclusions:

• The FX effectively validated the PANDEM-2 solutions within different national contexts.
• Simulation exercises are beneficial for member states to practice and improve public health emergency response.