Security preparedness - contingency plans

-Automatic translation

The Chief Epidemiologist is responsible for preparedness for threats from:

• communicable diseases/pathogens

• toxic substances

• radioactive substances

• unexpected events that can have serious health consequences among the world's nations

Disease prevention to prevent the spreading

The Chief Epidemiologist's role is to prepare contingency plans, carry out risk assessments, conduct epidemiological investigations to determine the origin of outbreaks and group infections, and predict measures to prevent their spread.

In case of urgent necessity due to an epidemic, the Chief Epidemiologist may recommend to the Minister that official measures to prevent infection should be taken by immunisation, isolation of infected persons, disinfection, quarantine of communities or the whole country, closure of schools or assembly bans. The Chief Epidemiologist may use such protection temporarily without seeking permission in advance if a delay is considered dangerous. Still, the Minister shall be informed of the measures simultaneously.

Extensive cooperation

The Chief Epidemiologist collaborates with the Chief Physicians of Primary Healthcare, staff and agencies in the health services, Public Health Control, the Environment Agency, the Food and Veterinary Authority, and the Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority, as applicable, regarding the possible risk of infection or danger from toxic or radioactive substances.

The Minister appoints a governmental Advisory Committee on Disease Prevention and Control. The role of the Committee is to gather data and to supervise the necessary actions to assess and eliminate the risk of infection or danger from animals, food, operations, water, sewage, ventilation or other environmental hazards that may spread infectious pathogens, toxic substances or radioactive substances that threaten human health. The committee comprises the Chief Epidemiologist and representatives from the Food and Veterinary Authority, the Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority, and the Environment Agency.

Pandemic

The Chief Epidemiologist is Iceland's contact with the World Health Organization and recommends disease prevention to the Minister during epidemics. The Chief Epidemiologist worked closely with the Civil Protection Department to prepare the National Plan of Action for the influenza pandemic. On 25 May 2020, the third and current version of the Civil Protection Response Plan was published (Preparedness and Response Plan for Public Health Risks, 2020, Icelandic). The plan shall cover any pandemic.

During a pandemic, the Chief Epidemiologist and the National Commissioner of Police work closely together, following the preparedness plan to reduce the severe consequences of an epidemic on health and society.

The Chief Epidemiologist of Health works closely with the Food and Veterinary Authority, the Environment Agency, the Icelandic Medicines Agency, and the Local Health Administration, developing preparedness plans to respond to food and tanning infections. Preparedness for possible infection warfare is also the responsibility of the Chief Epidemiologist.

Furthermore, the Preparedness and Response Plan for Public Health Risks in Ports and Ships 2017 (Icelandic) has been published in collaboration with the Civil Protection Department of the National Commissioner of Police, the Icelandic Port Authority, the Directorate of Customs, the Icelandic Transportation Office and other parties.

The eruption in Geldinganes 2021, Eyjafjallajökull 2010, Holuhraun 2014, and dioxin pollution in the West Fjords of 2011 are examples of events where the Chief Epidemiologist carried out a risk assessment and predicted responses to mitigate the harmful effects of pollution on human health.

International Epidemic Prevention

The Chief Epidemiologist participates in international epidemic prevention in close collaboration with the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC). The Chief Epidemiologist also serves on behalf of Iceland on the EU Health Security Committee (HSC).

The Health Security Committee advises the European Commission on legislation on monitoring and response and is responsible for EU disease prevention.

Contact with the World Health Organization

The Chief Epidemiologist is, by law, Iceland's contact with the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Chief Epidemiologist shall be notified of all events that may threaten the international community, whether from Iceland or other countries.

The Chief Epidemiologist is on duty all year round (emergency phone +354 510 1933) to act as an attending physician to the WHO and to respond to unexpected threats domestically or abroad.