The Veterinary Oath Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of livestock resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The lead federal agency for protecting the health and safety of people. CDC's Mission: To promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability.

From the July 28, 2000 issue of Science Emerging Zoonoses "[In a study,] they found that humanity is currently plagued by 1709 known pathogens (from viruses and bacteria to fungi, protozoa, and worms). The team concluded that 832 of those, or 49%, are zoonotic. But among the 156 diseases that are considered "emerging," 114 were zoonoses - a stunning 73%.“ From the July 28, 2000 issue of Science

Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Two year training program in public health at CDC MD, DVM, PhD, RN/MPH, DDS and JD Additional degree (MPH, MS) helpful Practical experience in field epidemiology outbreak investigations disease surveillance - research projects Dr. Stobierski “The disease detectives of CDC”

EIS Background Established in 1951 with 23 recruits Mission: To prevent & control communicable diseases Currently enrolls 65-75 new trainees annually Approximately 60% of recent graduates are women 20% - 35% represent ethnic minorities Typical class composition: 65-70% physicians (from many specialties) 6-9% veterinarians 3% dentists 3% nurses 17-20% PhDs

Vets in EIS 25 - 30 % who apply are accepted Same percentage of physicians Only 7% of applications are vets 2000 – 2002: 49 vet applicants/843 total applicants 15 accepted

What do EIS officers do on a daily basis?

Oral Rabies Vaccination Program Fairfax, VA 2000 Serosurvey of raccoons following bait drop

Oral Rabies Vaccination Program Abingdon, VA 2002 bait drop

Polio Eradication: Ghana, 1999 Vaccination clinic established in a rural island village

Polio eradication, Bangladesh

Polio eradication work in Nepal

TB investigation of imported macaques

Q fever and Brucellosis: July, 2000 Bosnia-Herzegovina Serosurvey of livestock from high-risk areas

FMD Surveillance, UK May 2001 Serosurvey of sheep to lift quarantine in infected areas

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Tennessee, June 2002 Dragging for ticks

Lymphatic filariasis work in Haiti

Gastrointestinal Illness on Cruise Ship, September, 2002

Bioterrorism Surveillance following the World Trade Center Attacks, 9/11/01

CDC Emergency Operations Center Anthrax Letters, Oct 2002 CDC Emergency Operations Center

Summer Student Employment Program Student Epidemiology Elective http://www.cdc.gov/hrmo/intshps2.htm Student Epidemiology Elective Senior medical or veterinary students Deadline for application is May 30 of applicant’s Junior year 4-8 week internships, field investigations Same contact information as EIS EIS Application Applications due in September/October each year Interviews in November New classes start in July, for a 2 year program Contact: EIS Program Office EPO-eis@cdc.gov 1 (888) 496-8347

For more information on CDC and EIS: www.cdc.gov www.cdc.gov/eis