CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service Marks 75 Years
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- Epidemic Intelligence Service celebrated its 75th anniversary, having trained over 4,300 disease detectives since its 1951 launch.
- Alexander D. Langmuir created the program to counter biological‑war threats during the Korean War.
- EIS officers were dispatched to Seattle on Feb. 28 2020 and arrived within 24 hours to investigate the first U.S. COVID‑19 case.
- Recent EIS classes now include doctoral scientists, veterinarians, pharmacists, entomologists, dentists, and nurses, reflecting a broadened scope beyond infectious disease.
- CDC uses the EIS cadre to tackle non‑communicable diseases, gun violence, and environmental toxins, expanding its public‑health impact.
Why it matters: The CDC’s EIS program equips state and local health agencies with 4,300 trained investigators, cutting response times—e.g., 24‑hour deployment to Seattle—saving lives and averting billions in outbreak‑related costs.
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