The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has appointed Dr Françoise Weber as chair and Dr Tiiu Aro as deputy chair.
Both terms run until the autumn of 2014, renewable for a further two years, with Dr Weber and Dr Aro leading the EU agency in its aim to support Europe’s defence against infectious disease.
Dr Françoise Weber and Dr Tiiu Aro
Dr Weber, who currently serves as director-general of the French Institute for Public Health Surveillance (InVS), has been a member of ECDC’s Board since 2008.
Prior to her time at the InVS, she spent two years as a public health adviser to the French government following a stint as deputy general secretary of the transparency committee of the French Agency for Safety of Health Products (AFSSAPS).
“In recent years, ECDC has provided very high quality support to the EU Institutions and Member States in the prevention and control of infectious diseases,” she said.
“I shall do my utmost to maintain a strong collegial spirit in the board, so that we can support ECDC in facing the challenges ahead, and continue to improve its efficiency, credibility and impact in the fights against infectious diseases.”
Dr Aro is secretary general of the Estonian Ministry of Social Affairs, and has also served as director-general of the Estonian Health Protection Inspectorate, director-general of the Estonian Health Board and as the country’s Minister of Health.
She has been a member of ECDC’s Board since 2004.