Anders Johansson appointed Sweden’s new state epidemiologist

Sweden’s Public Health Agency has named Anders Johansson as the country’s new state epidemiologist, the agency announced in a press release on Tuesday. He will assume the role on 1 October.

Johansson currently serves as a professor of infectious diseases at Umeå University and as medical director and chief hygiene officer in the Västerbotten region. In his new position, he will lead the agency’s infectious disease control and preparedness division.

“I look forward to leading the Public Health Agency’s work on infection control,” Johansson said in the statement. “To meet today’s and future health challenges, our preparedness for various health threats must constantly adapt and evolve.”

The agency’s director-general, Olivia Wigzell, described Johansson as having “excellent leadership qualifications” and a long-standing background as a researcher and specialist in both infectious diseases and healthcare hygiene. He has previously served as an associate professor and later as a full professor in the field.

Johansson is currently a member of the Public Health Agency’s advisory council but will step down from that role when he takes up his new position.