Department of Epidemiology

Head of Epidemiology Department

Galin Kamenov, MD, PhD

tel. +359 2 844 65 92
+359 2 944 69 99 ext.220

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

UNIT EPIDEMIOLOGY AND SURVEILLANCE OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES:

  • Dr. Nadezhda Vladimirova - Physician
  • Dr. Nikolay Bogdanov - Physician
  • Dr. Kalina Petkova - Physician
  • Assoc. Dr. Angel Kunchev
  • Prof. Dr. William Monev
  • Zivka Getsova - PhD student
  • Ralitsa Tsoneva - Ecologist
  • Antoaneta Minkova - Statistician
  • eng. Ivo Stanev - Network Administrator
  • Alexander Hristov - System Administrator
  • Ivo Georgiev - Technical Associate
  • Stoyan Stoyanov - Computer systems and networks specialist
  • Aneta Gandeva - Public Health Inspector
  • Anni Filipova - Sanitary laboratory worker

The main aspects of the department’s activity:

  • scientific and research activities aiming to achieve effective national communicable disease (CD) surveillance and control, incl. immunoprophylaxis and implementation of disinfection, sterilization and vector control practices;
  • participation in the preparation of disease prevention programs, regulations and guidance documents of Ministry of Health (MoH)
  • provision of expert advice and conduction of postgraduate courses for medical specialists from Regional Health Inspectorates (RHIs);
  • media dissemination of health knowledge to public.

The Epidemiology and Surveillance of Communicable Diseases Unit provides scientific advice and assists Bulgarian Ministry of Health in organization of preventive and control activities in the field of CD surveillance. The specialists in the Unit collaborate with regional epidemiologists and health officers during outbreak investigation and epidemic management.

The main activities of the experts include:

  • To develop studies on problems of CD surveillance, control and prevention; to publish and disseminate studies results to professionals and public;
  • To organise and conduct courses and individual postgraduate education for public health specialists from Regional Health Inspectorates (RHIs) and health facilities on different topics concerning epidemiology, surveillance, prevention and control of communicable diseases; to teach PhD students and to prepare research fellows in the field of epidemiology;
  • To collect, collate and analyse national epidemiological data; to assess epidemic situation and to provide evaluation of immunoprophylaxis; to prepare current and annual CD analyses, assessments and forecasts; to prepare and upload CD bulletins on a weekly basis on the website of NCIPD;
  • To perform tasks derived from the designated role of NCIPD as a National Coordinating Competent Body for communication with the European Centre for Diseases prevention and Control (ECDC) on technical and scientific issues referring to public health surveillance, training and scientific expertise;
  • To participate in international specific dedicated information systems, committees, and working groups regarding CD surveillance aspects;
  • To assist MoH and RHIs in their daily work on implementation of National Immunisation schedule and to carry out vaccines promotion in public in order to achieve and sustain high immunisation coverage at district level;
  • To interact with MoH and RHIs for adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) surveillance establishment; to provide expert advice to public health specialists on AEFI investigations;
  • To provide information and methodological support to RHIs for carrying out border health control focused on preventing importation of CDs and health events, concerning public health threats;
  • To collaborate with MoH on risk evaluation and to assist in organisation of control measures during epidemic outbreaks and public health emergencies;
  • To provide information in the field of communicable diseases’ prevention via NCIPD website