IDCU

The Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Unit (IDCU) is the national centre responsible for the surveillance, prevention, and control of infectious diseases in the Maltese islands. 
Data is collected from various sources, including medical doctors, hospitals, laboratories, patients, and death certificates. The Unit is also responsible for providing advice to health professionals and the general public, for preparedness and response plans against biological threats, for managing outbreaks of infectious diseases and for screening of infectious diseases in all third country nationals and asylum seekers.  

The IDCU is also responsible for the health screening for work permits for foreign individuals applying for a work permit within the Maltese islands.
The Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Unit is also responsible for providing data on infectious diseases to the local and international scientific community.  During recent years the unit has also participated in a number of EU projects.