Texas Joins CDC's Emerging Infections Program Network

WASHINGTON -- Texas has become the 11th Emerging Infections Program (EIP) site in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) established EIP sites in 1995 as part of the agency's strategy to address the ongoing threat of emerging infectious diseases. EIPs are a population-based network of state and local health departments, healthcare providers, and academic institutions. Sites within the network monitor and track infectious diseases, and perform epidemiologic and laboratory research for emerging infectious disease threats.

"The EIP sites are key components in strengthening the national public health structure to prevent and control emerging infectious diseases," said CDC Director Julie L. Gerberding, MD. "Over the past few years, the EIPs have been a national resource for monitoring the impact of a new vaccine against pneumonia in young children, and evaluating and helping to improve guidelines for preventing group B streptococcal disease which is a life-threatening infection in newborns, and measuring the burden of foodborne diseases."

There are 11 EIP sites: California (San Francisco Bay area), Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, and Texas. The study population for these sites is representative of approximately 36 million people. In fiscal year 2003, EIP sites received nearly $20 million in funding.

Select EIP projects include:

Active Bacterial Core Surveillance (ABCs). Tracking invasive diseases caused by emerging, vaccine-preventable, or drug-resistant pathogens such as Neisseria meningitides and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Foodborne Disease Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet). Laboratory-based monitoring for foodborne and waterborne diseases.

Surveillance for Infectious Disease Syndromes. Active tracking for SARS and severe pneumonia, encephalitis, chronic and acute liver failure, unexplained rash illnesses, and unexplained deaths and critical illnesses.

For more information about EIP and infectious disease surveillance, visit CDC's National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID) Web site at: http//www.cdc.gov/ncidod/osr/

Source: CDC