NCEZID: Global Work

NCEZID scientists are at the forefront of global outbreak response, working to reduce the spread of diseases that can cross borders. An outbreak overseas is only a plane ride away, so stopping epidemics at their source is vital to protecting the United States from health risks abroad. Our scientists also strengthen health security in the United States by focusing on pathogens (like anthrax or plague) that could be intentionally spread by bioterrorists.

What we’re doing

• Leading and participating in outbreak responses, providing the technical expertise and workforce for outbreaks of Ebola, Zika, and cholera.
• Working with partners to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions in rural healthcare facilities in five African countries.
• We’ve developed many new tests with partners that have helped us respond faster to outbreaks of infectious diseases including Zika, Ebola, rabies, yellow fever, dengue, and plague.
• Our ePathology service lets our pathology experts share a microscope with scientists around the globe and provide real-time consultation for urgent cases or rare pathogens.
• Strengthening public health systems to prevent global spread of disease, including robust surveillance systems to pick up diseases, disease detectives who can trace the source of the outbreak, and responsive and effective laboratories that provide confirmation.
• Reducing illness and death among US travelers, expatriates, and other globally mobile populations.