1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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”

5. EIS Background Established in 1951 with 23 recruits
Mission: To prevent & control communicable diseases
Currently enrolls 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

6. 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

7. What do EIS officers do on a daily basis?

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

9. Oral Rabies Vaccination Program Abingdon, VA 2002 bait drop

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

11. Polio eradication, Bangladesh

12. Polio eradication work in Nepal

13. TB investigation of imported macaques

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

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

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

17. Lymphatic filariasis work in Haiti

18. Gastrointestinal Illness on Cruise Ship, September, 2002

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

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

21. Summer Student Employment Program Student Epidemiology Elective
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
1 (888)

22. For more information
on CDC and EIS: