Question for written answer E-001947/2020 to the Commission Rule 138 Simona Baldassarre (ID), Antonio Maria Rinaldi (ID), Matteo Adinolfi (ID), Rosanna Conte (ID), Isabella Tovaglieri (ID), Marco Dreosto (ID) Subject: Implementation of a comprehensive system to monitor epidemics The current Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the intrinsic weakness of the way in which things are currently organised in Europe and the lack of a comprehensive alert system which operates efficiently and will respond promptly when any fresh epidemics break out. South Korea, with its capacity to contain the contagion rapidly, has shown that prompt monitoring – whether of an infection arriving from abroad or of the development of an epidemic within the home country – is necessary so that the harm caused by epidemics can be limited. Regrettably, this information requires coordination, including outside the Union, thus calling for effective international relations. In the report ‘Preparedness for a High-Impact Respiratory Pathogen Pandemic’, the Johns Hopkins University likewise draws attention to the importance of such monitoring for the purpose of preventing epidemics of respiratory diseases. In the light of the above: 1. will the Commission create a comprehensive network to monitor new diseases which could cause epidemics? 2. in order to obtain the necessary information and arrange for the relevant liaison, does not the Commission consider it necessary to involve the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy? 3. does not the Commission consider it desirable for such a monitoring system to involve decision- makers belonging to national and regional health services? PE650.126v01-00.