Category: Archive

Preventing Local Outbreaks from Becoming Global Pandemics: FETP Enhances Capabilities to Track Diseases and Stop Them at the Source

Podoconiosis

Christine Kihembo, FETP graduate from Uganda led a study in her country on Podoconiosis, a neglected tropical diseases that affects about 4 million people around the world. Above, the typical asymmetrical lymphedema (lower limb swelling) seen in podoconiosis. The skin on the affected limbs is thickened with warty and mossy nodules and toes are disfigured. Read More >

Posted on by David Sugerman, MD, MPH, FACEPTags ,

Heart Failure at Age 46?

Dotson E-80

nbsp; People often ask me what I enjoy most about the work I do. For me, it is the individuals we help to make healthier, those whose quality of care are directly impacted by the guidance we can give physicians. Recently, a physician in southern California contacted CDC about her patient, Jose. When Jose was Read More >

Posted on by Susan Montgomery, DVM, MPHTags , , , ,

Tick, tock, tick tock—While others sleep, what are CDC experts doing to keep America safe?

Children wait for a bus on a street in downtown Mysore, India. The CDC is carrying out a range of programs in India to ensure a healthy and safe future for kids like these. (Photo Courtesy: David Snyder CDC Foundation)

  As the clock ticks and people sleep peacefully, public health experts from CDC’s Division of Global Health Protection (DGHP) in collaboration with subject matter experts across CDC both in Atlanta and around the world are working 24/7 to support the agency’s mission to protect the health and safety of Americans and save lives. Keeping Read More >

Posted on by Kashef Ijaz, MD, MPH - Director (Acting) Division of Global Health ProtectionTags

The Consequences of Contaminated Water

World Water Day March 22 2017

March 22 is World Water Day. CDC highlights the need for all people to have access to safe water, and to prevent sickness and death from waterborne diseases such as cholera. Read More >

Posted on by Adrienne Lefevre, MPH, CHESTags , , , , , , , , , ,

Yellow Fever Vaccination Response

In December 2015, a yellow fever outbreak started in Angola and quickly spread within the country and to its neighbor, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Laboratory testing confirmed 962 cases, but there were thousands of suspected cases, making this the largest reported outbreak in 30 years. A critical aspect to yellow fever outbreak response Read More >

Posted on by Kimberley Fox, MD, MPH, Immunizations Systems Branch Chief, Global Immunization Division1 CommentTags , , , , ,

World Birth Defects Day 2017 Raises Global Awareness of Birth Defects 

World Birth Defects Day

Every year, about 3% to 6% of infants worldwide are born with a serious birth defect. Birth defects can affect an infant regardless of birthplace, race or ethnicity. In some countries, birth defects are a leading cause of death for babies and young children. Those who survive and live with these conditions have an increased Read More >

Posted on by Jennifer Williams, MSN, MPH, FNP-BC, Division of Congenital and Developmental DisordersTags , ,

CDC Maintains Vigilance to Eradicate Polio in Northern Nigeria

Vaccines save lives. Today, millions of children have a chance at surviving and living healthy, productive thanks to the introduction and increasingly widespread use of vaccines against major diseases that cripple and kill children over the last few decades. These diseases include polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, influenza and measles. The essence of our work could Read More >

Posted on by Chimeremma Denis Nnadi, MD, MPH, PhDTags , , ,

Global Rapid Responders – Our Boots on the Ground Defense

Ashley Greiner (Global RRT Tier 1 Emergency Public Health Epidemiologist) worked long hours in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. Dr. Greiner is seen here checking samples labels before sending them to the Port au Prince national laboratory for testing in October 2016 (Photo courtesy of Coralie Giese)

Because our world is more connected than ever, a disease threat that occurs anywhere can very quickly spread across boundaries and become a threat to people worldwide. New microbes are emerging and spreading, drug resistance is rising, and limited biosafety and security measures in laboratories around the world make the intentional or unintentional release of Read More >

Posted on by Ashley Greiner, MD, MPH1 Comment

The Stakes are High, the Goal the Same – Overcome Cancer

Dr. Elizabeth Van Dyne and Dr. Hussain Khalid, Professor Medical Oncology, Cairo University at WHO consultation in Cairo, Egypt

As a pediatric oncologist, I have sat across from a family and told them the heart wrenching news that their child has cancer. Many families tell me later that this was the worst day of their lives. Although I was the bearer of bad news, I had a strong oncology training, a collaborative team of Read More >

Posted on by Elizabeth Van Dyne, MD, MPH EIS OfficerTags ,

Protecting newborns from infection in healthcare settings

Each year, a staggering 3.6 million babies globally will die within the first four weeks of life. Tweet This As a mother, the safety of my baby is of utmost importance to me. Yet each year, a staggering 3.6 million babies globally will die within the first four weeks of life. Tragically, many of these Read More >

Posted on by Rachel Smith, Medical Epidemiologist2 CommentsTags , , , , , , ,