General information, not a diagnosis Method and limitations

05Reference year

Health organizations

Direct access to institutions that publish alerts, recommendations, surveillance data and public health information. Know who produces information and in what context is the first step in interpreting it well.

World Directory · 569 sourcesAlerts, maps and flows
Public health specialists coordinating a meeting around maps and documents
AI-generated illustration, not evidence of a health event. Organizations do not have the same mandates: their scope, territory and publication date count.

ChooseStarting point

Which source to consult?

Leave the territory concerned and the type of event. Then cross-reference information when several organizations share oversight or expertise.

Verification reflex

Check the date, territory, mandate of the organization and status of the document before applying information.

The 7 controls →

01International

Global and European sources

These organizations do not all have the same mission. Some coordinate international health, others monitor a region, animal health, food or the environment. Check the date, geographic area, perimeter and status of each publication.

When you are directly concerned with a recommendation, consult the national or local authority: it adapts the general guidelines to the rules, resources and situation of the country.

World Health OrganizationGlobal alerts, standards, advice and data European Centre for Disease Prevention and ControlMonitoring and risk assessments in Europe World Organisation for Animal HealthAnimal health, zoonoses and WAHIS data Food and Agriculture Organization of the United NationsFood Systems, Animal Health and One Health United Nations Environment ProgrammeEnvironmental Dimension of One Health Centers for Disease Control and PreventionInformation and surveillance in the United States
International Public Health Group comparing maps and institutional sources
AI-generated illustration, not evidence of a health event. Comparing the mandate, territory and date of publication helps to select the appropriate source.

References in France

In France, several actors share surveillance, scientific expertise, regulation, prevention and research. The same question may therefore require consulting several complementary sources.

Public health France

The Agency publishes epidemiological surveillance data, regional or national bulletins and prevention councils. It is a useful reference for monitoring the evolution of a health indicator over time. Access the official website.

Ministry of Health

The Ministry presents public policies, national campaigns, regulatory information and official instructions applicable in France. Access the official website.

ANSES

The Agency carries out expertise on health risks related to food, the environment and work. His advice generally details the issue under consideration, the available knowledge and the uncertainties. Access the official website.

Institut Pasteur

The Institut Pasteur carries out biomedical research, surveillance, teaching and information on infectious diseases. Its records help to deepen the functioning of an agent or disease. Go to site.

How to verify information

Checking does not require to be a specialist. A few simple questions already make it possible to distinguish exploitable information from incomplete, old or misleading content.

  1. Find the original publication, not only a screenshot, a comment or its resumption by another account.
  2. Check its date of update, the data period and the geographical area concerned.
  3. Identify the author, the responsible body and the sources or methods mentioned.
  4. Distinguish a signal, an investigation, a hypothesis, a confirmed result, a recommendation and an obligation.
  5. Look at the units and denominator: a number of cases alone does not tell what proportion of a population is concerned.
  6. Compare with the health authority in your country and see if a correction or an update has been published.
  7. Ask a professional for advice on applying general information to an individual situation.

An official source may also evolve: new data may change the evaluation. This change is not necessarily a contradiction; it may reflect a better understanding of the situation. The date and version of a document are therefore essential.

External linksBIOHAZARD PROTECTION is not affiliated with any listed organization and does not control their contents. The names and acronyms belong to their respective owners.

FAQDirect responses

Choosing and interpreting a health source

Which source consult first for a health alert?

First consult the national or local authority of the territory concerned, as it publishes the applicable local guidelines. International agencies then provide the regional or global context and allow for comparison of assessments.

What is the difference between WHO, ECDC and a national agency?

WHO coordinates and informs globally. The ECDC analyses the threats related to infectious diseases in the European Union and the European Economic Area. A national agency monitors its own territory and adapts the recommendations to the local context.

Where to follow animal health and zoonoses?

The World Organisation for Animal Health and its WAHIS platform disseminate international information on animal health. National veterinary services remain the reference for measures applicable in a country.

Can official information change?

Yes. An assessment may evolve with new data, a more comprehensive survey or a change in the situation. Always check the date, period under review, territory, version of the document and any updates.

Concrete casesFrom need to source

What document to look for?

The name of an organization does not yet indicate which document answers the question. These paths distinguish instructions, data, reminder and explanation.

A policy applicable today

Open the territory authority site, note the date and target audience, and then check if a local instruction completes the national instruction.

Find the official watch →

A figure to compare

Look for the source table and its methodology: period, case definition, population covered and reporting deadline.

Read the data →

A recalled food

In France, a reminder sheetConso specifies the exact references and the course of action to be taken. A European alert offers a different context.

Check the product →

A test result

Identify the agent, method and sample before using a laboratory sheet or clinical recommendation.

Interpret test →

PratiqueCheck before deciding

Choisir un organisme selon la question

Reading guidance and interpretation limits
Concept or situationWhat it describesPoint to watch
Consigne actuelleAutorité nationale ou locale du lieu concerné.Territoire, compétence, date et destinataires.
Comparaison internationaleOrganisme régional ou mondial.Méthodes comparables, années et périmètres.
Question scientifiqueRéférentiel ou publication scientifique.A single study does not serve the same purpose as an official recommendation.