ISS and UK HSA will exchange health and scientific data to support global health security

The Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS), the main research institution in the field of public health in Italy, and the UK Health Security Agency (UKI HSA), its British counterpart, will exchange health and scientific data with the aim to protect public health and support global health security.  This is the purpose of an agreement, endorsed by British Embassy in Rome and the Italian Embassy in London, signed today by the legal representative of both the agencies.

In the strategic partnership, which will last for five years, the agencies will exchange non-personal data and information on epidemiological and infectious diseases, such as vector-borne diseases, antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections, vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization, wastewater monitoring and OneHealth. This exchange can occur through the sharing of files, emails, presentations during meetings and the conduction of joint research activities.

“In an era of changing global and regional challenges caused by communicable diseases, collaboration in the field of health can strengthen our ability to prevent, mitigate and respond to outbreaks and emerging threats” says the ISS  president Rocco Bellantone and the ISS Director General Andrea Piccioli . This agreement, therefore, represents a powerful alliance built on mutual trust, shared values, and a common vision for the future of public health and health security. We extend our sincere gratitude to UK HSA for the support in the drafting, refinement and finalization of this agreement and to the British Embassy Rome and the Italian Embassy in London for their kind attention and endorsement”.

Susan Hopkins, Chief Executive of UKHSA has said: “UKHSA is committed to working with international partners to improve global health security and sharing information is an important pillar to meeting this aim. This data sharing agreement between UKHSA and ISS cements our relationship with ISS and strengthens our joint preparedness and response to global threats.”

British Ambassador to Italy, Ed Llewellyn, said: “This agreement is a major step forward in our scientific partnership with Italy. By enabling the secure exchange of anonymised public health data, we are boosting our joint ability to tackle infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and other key health threats. It strengthens our pandemic preparedness, supports One Health approaches, and lays the groundwork for future scientific collaboration. We are proud to work with the Istituto Superiore di Sanità and look forward to the practical outcomes this collaboration will deliver for our countries and beyond.”