The CNM maintains active Microbiological Surveillance Programmes for infections relevant to Public Health (caused by virus and prions, bacteria, parasites, y fungi), which are reviewed and renewed annually. This surveillance, aligned with the criteria established by the ECDC, allows us to identify evolutionary patterns, study circulating clones and detect early changes in trends, both in Spain and in comparison with the rest of Europe. This knowledge is the basis for the implementation of biosanitary measures that favour the control and prevention of infectious diseases.

The CNM has a molecular characterisation service for outbreaks at the disposal of the NHS, following notification of the outbreak by the health authorities of the Autonomous Regions or the Ministry of Health. Among many others, the CNM established the clonal relationship of the strains involved in the outbreak of listeriosis that occurred in August-September 2019.