Prion diseases, or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, are conditions that are difficult to diagnose and require a multidisciplinary approach involving neurologists, neuropathologists, biochemists, and medical imaging specialists. The emergence of new prion diseases that behave like infectious diseases has justified the establishment of a national surveillance system for these diseases. This surveillance is delegated by agreement from Santé publique France to the National Surveillance Network for Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (RNS-MCJ), led by an Inserm unit. The role of the RNS-MCJ is to centralize all reports of suspected CJD, to compile clinical, biological, and pathological data in order to classify cases as confirmed, probable, or possible CJD, and, where appropriate, to report any unusual cases that could constitute an alert.

A thematic support committee was established in 2000 to coordinate this surveillance and facilitate the necessary communication among the various healthcare partners participating in the RNS-MCJ.

Legionellosis is a waterborne disease and poses a public health concern. Prevention efforts aim to reduce the number of Legionellosis cases by managing the risk of Legionella. Numerous regulations have been issued over the years and have likely helped limit the number and scale of outbreaks, as only three clusters of cases have been identified over the past 10 years.

However, the number of reported Legionnaires’ disease cases is not decreasing, and an average of approximately 1,300 cases were reported annually through 2016. Since 2017, an increase in the number of cases has been observed, notably with a record number of 2,133 cases reported in 2018. In 2021, 2,050 cases (provisional data) were recorded. The majority (60%) of cases are community-acquired cases with no specific reported exposure, and the number of these cases remains high or, at the very least, is not decreasing. Studies show that the sources of contamination in investigated cases are water systems in public buildings and residential water systems.

It is essential to document the proportion of Legionnaires’ disease cases that may be linked to household contamination via water distribution systems in order to improve our understanding of the sources of contamination in Legionnaires’ disease cases.

The main objective of this study is to determine the potential proportion of household contamination among all sources of contamination for sporadic cases. This exploration is part of the National Environmental Health Plan (PNSE 4) launched in 2021, specifically Action No. 12, which aims to “better understand and prevent cases of legionellosis.” This exploratory study also falls within the context of Directive 2020/2184 of the European Parliament and of the Council of December 16, 2020, on the quality of water intended for human consumption, which introduces new provisions regarding private water distribution systems, including monitoring for Legionella. The results of this exploratory study will enable the development of new actions to better manage the “Legionella risk,” improve prevention in line with the needs of the population, and, ultimately, achieve a sustainable reduction in the number of Legionnaires’ disease cases.

This study is being conducted by the National Legionella Reference Center (CNR-L) in collaboration with Santé publique France and with the support of the Directorate General for Health (DGS).

A thematic advisory committee has been established by Santé publique France to assist in designing this study and finalizing its protocol.

Surveillance of congenital toxoplasmosis is coordinated by the National Reference Center for Toxoplasmosis in collaboration with Santé publique France and relies on case reporting from a network of partner laboratories.

The objectives of this surveillance system are:

• to estimate the incidence of congenital toxoplasmosis in France;

• to determine the number of cases of severe congenital toxoplasmosis at the time of diagnosis;

• to track trends in the disease (number and characteristics of cases);

• to compare the incidence of the disease observed in France with that in other European countries.

A thematic support committee was established in 2018 to review the activities related to the surveillance of congenital toxoplasmosis.

Established in 2016, the CeGIDDs are responsible for screening for HIV, viral hepatitis, and sexually transmitted infections (e.g., Mycoplasma genitalium infections, genital warts, or genital/anal herpes). They offer a comprehensive approach to sexual health and target populations most removed from the healthcare system. Good coverage across the entire country also provides robust regional data. Beyond screening activities, the individual data collected allows for the gathering of information on vaccination coverage among the served population (hepatitis B and human papillomavirus) and on vaccination activities.

A Thematic Support Committee was established in 2021 with the objectives of supporting the implementation of epidemiological surveillance of CeGIDD activities, helping to define common indicators to be produced and disseminated, and contributing to the adaptation of the surveillance system.

Santé publique France established this thematic advisory committee in 2021, as part of the launch of a study led by the agency in collaboration with five university hospitals, which aims to evaluate an algorithm for selecting hospitalized cases of Lyme disease using the Medical Information Systems Program (PMSI), in order to compare the information collected by the PMSI with medical records. The establishment of this committee is necessary to mobilize all external expertise to validate the design of this study and facilitate its implementation in the field.

The thematic support committee assists Santé publique France in drafting and validating the study protocol. It participates in the interpretation, validation, and scientific dissemination of the study’s results.

Bacterial invasive infections (meningitis and bacteremia) are one of the leading infectious causes of severe morbidity and mortality in adults and children. These diseases have been monitored since 1987 by the Epibac network.

A thematic support committee was established in 2021 following a recommendation made during the evaluation of the Epibac network in November 2010.

The objectives of this committee are to advise Santé publique France on the following topics:

• the objectives of this surveillance;

• data collection methods;

• improving data quality;

• the use of data;

• ways to recognize the contributions of network participants.

In 2022, Inserm launched the national survey “Context of Sexualities in France” (CSF2022) as part of the 2017–2030 National Sexual Health Strategy. Santé publique France proposed conducting, based on this survey, a complementary biological component on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), known as the PrévIST study. Indeed, bacterial STIs have been on the rise since the early 2000s, and no prevalence data is available for the general population; or, if such data exists, it is outdated.

The main objectives of this study are:

• to estimate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Mycoplasma genitalium infections in the general population (throughout France) among 18- to 59-year-olds,

• to estimate the genital prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) among 18- to 29-year-olds,

• to study the risk factors associated with these infections.

PrévIST will also make it possible to measure the effectiveness of HPV vaccination in women and to obtain baseline prevalence data immediately following the introduction of vaccination for boys on January 1, 2021. The prevalence data obtained in this way, combined with the socio-behavioral data collected by the CSF2022 survey, will help in the fight against STIs, particularly by identifying the most at-risk populations and regions, and thus enable the development of appropriate prevention messages and reinforce the importance of protection and screening tests.

If necessary, these data will also enable the adaptation of French recommendations for the screening and treatment of these infections, developed by the Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS).

A committee was established in 2023 to advise the Agency on field monitoring when adjustments to the methodology are needed, as well as on data analysis and potential scientific publications.

In 2017, the reorganization of healthcare-associated infection prevention led to the creation of 17 Healthcare-Associated Infection Prevention Support Centers (CPias). Then, in 2022, the organization of antibiotic resistance prevention—including the appropriate use of antibiotics—led to the creation of 17 Regional Centers for Antibiotic Therapy (CRAtb). Santé publique France leads national expert initiatives regarding the prevention and surveillance of healthcare-associated infections, antibiotic resistance, and the appropriate use of antibiotics.

As part of Santé publique France’s oversight of these national initiatives, a Thematic Support Committee on “The Network for the Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antibiotic Resistance (including the appropriate use of antibiotics)” (CAT-RePIA) was established in 2023.

Its objectives are to:

• promote technical exchanges between the CPias/CRAtbs responsible for national missions, other CPias, other CRAtbs, and institutional representatives,

• facilitate the implementation and operational monitoring of these missions,

• jointly define common tools and best practices.

For the past 60 years, the Lacq industrial complex (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) has been home to numerous chemical and petrochemical operations. In October 2015, the Directorate General for Health referred the matter to Santé publique France regarding the advisability and feasibility of establishing an epidemiological surveillance system around the Lacq complex. In response to this request, Santé publique France initiated several studies. In addition to this work, Santé publique France launched a new study in 2023 on the health and quality of life of residents living near the Lacq industrial complex.

This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study conducted among the general population, with the aim of assessing the health of the population in the study area, their perception of the local environment, and any perceived nuisances. The study incorporates a participatory approach, involving local residents and community and local stakeholders (such as community organizations and healthcare professionals).

The thematic support committee, established in 2021, is responsible for assisting the Agency in developing the study protocol and in the practical arrangements for conducting the survey and disseminating the results.

For the past 60 years, the Lacq industrial complex (Pyrénées-Atlantiques) has been home to a wide range of chemical and petrochemical activities. In October 2015, the Directorate General for Health referred the matter to Santé publique France regarding the advisability and feasibility of establishing epidemiological surveillance around the Lacq area. In response to this referral, Santé publique France launched several studies, including an exploratory morbidity study.

The objective of this study is to examine morbidity among the population living in the Lacq industrial area.

The thematic support committee is responsible for assisting Santé publique France, particularly in developing the study protocol and in the practical arrangements for conducting the study.