Epidemic Intelligence Service

Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) is a program managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is a unique two-year postgraduate training program in epidemiology, with a focus on field work.

History

The EIS was established in 1951, in response to the Korean War. The program was initially created to provide an early warning system for biological warfare and defend against it. Over time, the focus of the EIS has expanded to include all aspects of public health, including chronic disease, infectious disease, environmental health, and injury prevention.

Program

The EIS program is a hands-on training for health professionals interested in the practice of epidemiology. EIS officers, often called "disease detectives", are involved in outbreak investigations, research, and public health surveillance both nationally and internationally. They may be called upon to respond to urgent and immediate public health threats, such as pandemics, natural disasters, and bioterrorism.

Impact

EIS officers have been involved in the investigation and control of nearly every high-profile public health threat in the United States and around the world. These include the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa, the Zika virus outbreak in the Americas, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

See also

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention