Course . Diagnosis & surveillance

Epidemiology in complex emergencies for effective surveillance & response

Co-organized by the Mérieux Foundation & Epiconcept

July 6 - 10, 2026

Les Pensières Center for Global Health, Veyrier-du-Lac . France

Following the success of the first three editions of the Course on Epidemiology in Complex Emergency Situations, the Mérieux Foundation and Epiconcept are pleased to organize a fourth edition of this course at Les Pensières Center for Global Health in Annecy, from July 6 to 10, 2026.

Group of people sitting around a wooden table, playing an educational card game during a workshop.
Participants during a workshop as part of the Epi-Course

This intensive one-week course is led by Prof. Philippe Vanhems (Mérieux Foundation) and Dr. Sandra Cohuet (Epiconcept). It aims to strengthen the knowledge and skills of French-speaking epidemiologists working in human, animal, and environmental health, so that they can contribute to a multidisciplinary and international response to epidemics linked to communicable diseases or natural disasters, in the context of a complex emergency situation.

One of the main objectives of the course is to establish collaborations between participants from different countries to strengthen surveillance and response to outbreaks according to a “One Health” approach.

The course emphasizes the importance of surveillance and associated alert systems, analysis, and management of an outbreak response in complex emergencies for the control of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. The interdisciplinary approach, communication during the crisis and research are key factors in the complex emergency context.

The program is developed with a scientific committee composed of representatives of the following institutions: Epiconcept, Mérieux Foundation, Hospices Civils de Lyon, GAVI, Institut Pasteur, WHO, Nazi Boni University.

Course fees

Accommodation

  • All participants (includes 3 meals a day for the duration of the course): €1,800*

Registration

  • Participants from academic, government institutions & NGOs: €2,400*
  • SME and sponsors from industry: €3,200*
  • Other industry participants: €4,000*

*VAT included. All fees are due in full to confirm participation. Additional accommodation fees will apply for days outside of the course.

Participate

Registration deadline:
July 5, 2026

Apply for the course

A question?

Sakurako Marchand

Event Manager

sakurako.marchand@fondation-merieux.org