CDC Announces 66th Annual Epidemic Intelligence Service Conference

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hosted the 66th Annual Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Conference from April 24 to April 27, 2017, in Atlanta. The event served as a platform for EIS officers, commonly referred to as disease detectives, to present the results of investigations conducted over the previous year.

EIS officers are positioned as primary responders when health threats emerge within the United States or internationally. Their work involves identifying and combating a wide range of public health crises, from infectious disease outbreaks to chronic health conditions.

2016 Public Health Investigations

During the 66th Annual EIS Conference, officers detailed their efforts to address several critical health threats encountered in 2016. These investigations focused on a diverse array of medical and environmental challenges including:

• The Zika virus
• The opioid epidemic
• Antibiotic resistance
• Foodborne illnesses
• Healthcare-associated infections
• Unintentional injuries
• Chronic diseases

The conference provided a venue for these officers to describe the behind-the-scenes details of their field work, illustrating how the service’s activities impact public health outcomes.

Targeted Disease Investigations

As part of the event, a specific media availability session titled On the Front Lines: Disease Detectives Combat Deadly Threats was held on April 24, 2017. This session was hosted by Dr. Patricia Simone, the CDC’s Acting Principal Deputy Director.

During this briefing, four EIS officers shared detailed accounts of their specific investigations into high-priority health threats. These focused reports included the drug-resistant fungus Candida auris, acute flaccid myelitis, the opioid epidemic, and the Zika virus.

The Role of the Epidemic Intelligence Service

The Epidemic Intelligence Service operates as a critical component of the CDC’s ability to respond to emergencies. By deploying officers to the sites of outbreaks or health crises, the agency can gather real-time data and implement control measures to protect the public.

The annual conference allows the agency to synthesize the findings from various officers, highlighting the broader trends in global and domestic health. The 66th conference specifically emphasized the role of science in making a tangible impact on public safety through the application of field epidemiology.

The event took place at the Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart, providing a centralized location for disease detectives to share their findings and for health reporters to engage directly with the professionals managing these threats.