Criteria for selection of communicable diseases and related special health issues to be covered by epidemiological surveillance within the network
1. Communicable diseases and related special health issues that cause, or have the potential to cause, significant morbidity or mortality, or both, across the Union, especially where the prevention of those diseases requires an approach to coordination at Union level.
2. Communicable diseases and related special health issues where the exchange of information may provide early warning of threats to public health.
3. Rare and serious communicable related diseases and special health issues which would not be recognised at national level and where the pooling of data would allow hypothesis generation from a wider knowledge base.
4. Communicable diseases and related special health issues for which effective preventive measures are available with a protective health gain.
5. Communicable diseases and related special health issues for which a comparison by Member States would contribute to the evaluation of national and Union programmes.