1. CDC’s Global Disease Detection Program
Combating Urgent Disease Threats
Rationale for Global Disease Detection: It is about people, lives lost,
and the potential for systems in place to warn and respond to emerging
infectious diseases: Story of Carlo
Scott F. Dowell, MD, MPH
Division of Global Disease Detection & Emergency Response (proposed)
Coordinating Office for Global Health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

2. Global Responses to Disease Threats
Global Disease Detection Program
“…mitigate the consequences of a catastrophic public health event, whether the cause is an intentional act of terrorism or the natural emergence of a deadly infectious virus…” Congress, 2004
Funded by Congress in 2004 and motivated by the vision of a world made safe
from the spread of infectious disease threats, CDC has committed to a strategy
to support the requirements of the newly revised International Health Regulations
(IHR) 2005 by building local, regional, and global public health infrastructure in
resource-constrained countries.
CDC given autonomy to use the funding:
2004 Congressional language: The conferees intend that the increased funds provided for global disease
detection be allocated in the manner determined by the Director of CDC to enhance the capability to detect
and track global outbreaks of disease to ensure real-time reporting of emerging threats.
Based on this discretionary funding and mandate CDC worked internally to develop a strategy
built on the vision to: Make the world safe from the spread of infectious disease threats.
Next slide

3. CDC’s Global Health Activities
224 staff assigned to 54 countries
40 staff detailed to international organizations
1,200 locally employed staff
6,000 temporary duty assignments annually for technical assistance
Before I explain CDC’s Global Disease Detection program, I want to highlight why CDC is uniquely qualified to lead U.S. efforts at global disease detection and aid international partners in this mission. The value of global disease detection is health protection for the entire global community, accomplished by having CDC assets linked seamlessly with disease detection partners globally to rapidly identify emerging disease threats and contain them before international spread.
Our program is founded on CDC’s technical ability, our presence abroad and the strong reputation we bring through our history in global health, beginning as a Malaria control in the 1940’s and our subsequent success in polio eradication. Today, we have technical expertise housed globally in over 50 countries with 224 CDC field staff, 1,200 locally employed staff, 40 staff detailed to international organizations and 6,000 plus temporary duty assignments for technical assistance
This ability is supplemented from our Atlanta, GA headquarters which houses can rapidly
in-depth expertise and laboratory capabilities required to respond to complex disease outbreaks.
CDC’s global detection strategy leverages expertise across all of this expertise

4. CDC-Funded GDD Regional Centers
CDC’s PROGRAM
for Global Disease Detection
CDC-Funded GDD Regional Centers
(2008)
(2006)
(2006)
CDC has developed 6 GDD Regional Centers, one in each of the WHO regions
CDC’s global detection strategy leverages expertise across CDC’s programs in Atlanta,
GDD Regional Centers, and CDC’s internationally deployed staff of over 200 professionals
in more than 50 countries to aid international disease surveillance and response.
(2006)
(2004)
(2004) 4

5. GDD Regional Centers Systems Approach to Capacity Building:
Disease detection and response
Training in field epidemiology and laboratory methods
Pandemic influenza preparedness and response
Zoonotic disease investigation and control
Health communication and Information Technology
Laboratory systems and biosafety
Moreover, CDC builds global capacity for emerging infectious disease control
Through functional areas described here.
In alignment with article 44 of the IHR of 2005, these capabilities provide
resource-limited countries with a stronger public health ability and
infrastructure to detect and contain threats unique to their country
or region, as well as common global threats.

6. Global Disease Detection
Measurable Impact:
Outbreak response
Surveillance
Pathogen discovery
Training
Networking
Since 2006, we have tracked measureable impact with this effort…Highlights will follow

7. Improving Outbreak Responses
of Global Disease Detection
THE IMPACT
Improving Outbreak Responses
Collectively, GDD Regional Centers have assisted with 347 outbreaks
GDD’s Responses:
Are Faster
81% received a response within 24 hours
Are More Comprehensive
23% involved lab support, confirming the cause in 79%
21% involved other countries in the region
17% involved CDC headquarters support
14% involved WHO or GOARN partners
Achieve Greater Impact
29% led to policy change, preventive action, or lives saved

8. Improving Detection of New Pathogens
of Global Disease Detection
THE IMPACT
Improving Detection of New Pathogens
Number of pathogens that can be tested for in-country
Cumulative Number of Pathogens
Number of new pathogens discovered
Thirty-four pathogens have been discovered. In-country testing capacity increased by 69 pathogens.
Time 8

9. Training Senior Epidemiologists
of Global Disease Detection
THE IMPACT
Training Senior Epidemiologists
Cumulative Number of FETP Graduates
Will need to explain that FETP has existed since 1980.
The number of FETP-trained senior epidemiologists within GDD Center regions increased to 160 over 3 years.
Time 9

10. THE IMPACT of Global Disease Detection Enhancing Surveillance
Thailand’s Minister of Commerce Mingkwan Saengsuwan promotes influenza vaccination. 10

11. Gaps in GDD Coverage
CDC has developed 6 GDD Regional Centers, one in each of the WHO regions
CDC’s global detection strategy leverages expertise across CDC’s programs in Atlanta,
GDD Regional Centers, and CDC’s internationally deployed staff of over 200 professionals
in more than 50 countries to aid international disease surveillance and response. 11

12. What We’re Watching CDC’s GDD Operations Center International Domestic
Kazakhstan
PR China
CDC Programs
Project Argus
ProMED
Inter-Agency
(BIWAC)
US Intelligence
Sources
WHO -
IHR & GOARN
OIE & FAO
GPHIN
DoD Labs
State &USAID
NGOs &
Corporations
Egypt
Thailand
Guatemala
Kenya

13. What We’re Watching GDD Operations Center: March 15 – April 15, 200913