South African Regional Global Disease Detection Centre
The Global Disease Detection (GDD) program is CDC’s principal program for developing and strengthening global health security to detect, identify and contain emerging infectious disease and bioterrorist threats globally. In 2010, GDD South Africa became the ninth regional GDD center with the establishment of the South African Regional Global Disease Detection Centre (SARGDD). The regional center provides leadership, training and technical assistance to strengthen countries’ abilities to confront new emerging health disease challenges, including influenza and other respiratory diseases. SARGDD consists of four programs :
The International Emerging Infections Program (IEIP)
The program focuses on strengthening disease surveillance and providing assistance on implementation of the 2005 International Health Regulations (IHR). IEIP collaborates with the U.S. DOD and Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), the NDoH, the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners to build local and regional disease detection and response capabilities and to strengthen biosecurity.
The Influenza Program
The program was incorporated into the GDD in 2010, and has a significant regional component. CDC works with NHLS and WHO to conduct surveillance for influenza and pneumonia to direct influenza policy and pandemic preparedness.
The South Africa Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (SA-FELTP)
SA-FELTP trains field epidemiology and public health laboratory fellows for leadership positions in the South African National and Provincial health services and NHLS. The two-year program provides epidemiologic services to health authorities in South Africa and conducts outbreak investigations.
The One Health Program
In 2013, the GDD Centre, together with the NDoH, made great strides in establishing a One Health program, which focuses on the convergence of human, animal and environmental health, a priority area for South Africa and core to strengthening global health security.
