High-Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCIDs) are severe, fast-spreading infections with high mortality and limited treatment options. Their impact extends beyond healthcare—posing global health risks and triggering economic disruptions.1
HCIDs spread in two main ways:
- Contact Transmission: Diseases like Ebola, Lassa fever, and Marburg virus spread through direct contact with body fluids or contaminated surfaces—making isolation and disinfection essential.2
- Airborne Transmission: Viruses such as SARS, MERS, COVID-19, and avian flu spread via aerosols and droplets, fueling faster, wider outbreaks.3
Personal protective equipment (PPE) remains a key defense for healthcare workers. Airborne threats require N95 respirators, gowns, and eye protection, while viral hemorrhagic fevers demand full-body suits, double gloves, and face shields.4 However, PPE only works when healthcare workers are trained to use it correctly—especially when putting it on and taking it off.5
On June 30, 2025, the EU’s Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA) launched new contracts under the EU4Health program to improve pandemic preparedness. These efforts focus on smarter stockpiling, cross-border coordination, and faster development of medical tools.6
HCIDs don’t respect borders. Global cooperation, investment in PPE, and continuous training are crucial to preventing future outbreaks and protecting both healthcare workers and communities worldwide.
For more detail on HCIDs, read the full whitepaper here.
References:
1. McQuiston JH, Wells EV, Holodniy M, et al. Ten years of high-consequence pathogens—research gains, readiness gaps, and future goals. Emerg Infect Dis. 2024;30(4):800-802.
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Guidance for PPE in healthcare settings. https://www.cdc.gov/viral-hemorrhagic-fevers/hcp/guidance/ppe-clinically-unstable.html
3. World Health Organization (WHO). Infection prevention and control of epidemic- and pandemic-prone acute respiratory infections in health care. 2020. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/infection-prevention-and-control-of-epidemic-and-pandemic-prone-acute-respiratory-infections-in-health-care
4. CDC. Strategies for optimizing the supply of N95 respirators. https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/respirators-strategy/index.html
5. MacIntyre CR, Wang Q, Cauchemez S, et al. Transmission routes of respiratory viruses among healthcare workers. J Hosp Infect. 2014;86(4):235-239.
6. European Health and Digital Executive Agency. Enhancing Health Emergency Preparedness in the EU: New EU4Health contracts signed. HaDEA news. Published July 1, 2025. https://hadea.ec.europa.eu/news/enhancing-health-emergency-preparedness-eu-new-eu4health-contracts-signed-2025-06-30_en