Compact News: CDC Press Release: CDC EIS Conference: Global Health Presentation Schedule

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

CDC Press Release: CDC EIS Conference: Global Health Presentation Schedule

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CDC EIS Conference: Global Health Presentation Schedule

For immediate Release: Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Contact: CDC Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

Front-line disease detectives present global health research investigation findings

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today continued its 63rd Annual Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Conference, which focuses on key health initiatives such as global health. This week-long event highlights the work of its current EIS officers or “disease detectives” and welcomes the incoming class of officers. Presentations describe recent and ongoing EIS investigations. More details about the global health presentations are available below.

In today’s interconnected world, a health threat anywhere is a health threat everywhere. Outbreaks can spread at the speed of an intercontinental flight. Global health security – keeping the U.S. and the world safe and secure from infectious disease threats – is achieved by preventing, detecting and responding to outbreaks as early and effectively as possible. Threats to global health security include new and re-emerging pathogens, increasing antibiotic resistance and intentionally created bioweapons. Through strategic investments in critical public health systems, CDC is working with other nations to increase their ability to prepare for and respond to public health threats and reduce the risk of these threats crossing borders.

“With today’s patterns of global travel and trade, disease can spread nearly anywhere within 24 hours,” said CDC Acting Chief, Epidemic Intelligence Service Dr. Diana Bensyl. “On average, CDC starts about one new investigation a day and identifies one new microbe each year. The CDC’s EIS program is an important part of our work to prevent, detect and respond to global health threats. We’ve made some exciting progress. However, there’s still a lot left to do to improve health security and respond more quickly to outbreaks.”