The Veterinary Oath
Being admitted to the profession of
veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to
use my scientific knowledge and skills for
the benefit of society through the
protection of animal health, the relief of
animal suffering, the conservation of
livestock resources, the promotion of
public health, and the advancement of
medical knowledge.
Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention
The lead federal agency for protecting the
health and safety of people.
CDC's Mission:
To promote health and quality of life by
preventing and controlling disease, injury,
and disability.
Emerging Zoonoses
"[In a study,] they found that humanity is currently
plagued by 1709 known pathogens (from viruses
and bacteria to fungi, protozoa, and worms). The
team concluded that 832 of those, or 49%, are
zoonotic. But among the 156 diseases that are
considered "emerging," 114 were zoonoses - a
stunning 73%.“
From the July 28, 2000 issue of Science
Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS)
• Two year training program in public health at CDC
• MD, DVM, PhD, RN/MPH, DDS and JD
• Additional degree (MPH, MS) helpful
• Practical experience in field epidemiology
- outbreak investigations
- disease surveillance
- research projects
Dr. Stobierski
“The disease detectives of CDC”
EIS Background
• Established in 1951 with 23 recruits
• Mission: To prevent & control communicable
diseases
• Currently enrolls 65-75 new trainees annually
• Approximately 60% of recent graduates are women
• 20% - 35% represent ethnic minorities
• Typical class composition:
– 65-70% physicians (from many specialties)
– 6-9% veterinarians
– 3% dentists
– 3% nurses
– 17-20% PhDs
Vets in EIS
•
•
•
•
•
•
25 - 30 % who apply are accepted
Same percentage of physicians
Only 7% of applications are vets
2000 – 2002:
49 vet applicants/843 total applicants
15 accepted
What do EIS officers do on a
daily basis?
Oral Rabies Vaccination Program
Fairfax, VA 2000
Serosurvey of raccoons following bait drop
Oral Rabies Vaccination Program
Abingdon, VA 2002
bait drop
Polio Eradication: Ghana, 1999
Vaccination clinic established in a rural island village
Polio eradication,
Bangladesh
Polio eradication work in
Nepal
TB investigation of imported
macaques
Q fever and Brucellosis: July, 2000
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Serosurvey of livestock from high-risk areas
FMD Surveillance, UK May 2001
Serosurvey of sheep to lift quarantine in infected areas
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever,
Tennessee, June 2002
Dragging for ticks
Lymphatic filariasis work in
Haiti
Gastrointestinal Illness on
Cruise Ship, September, 2002
Bioterrorism Surveillance following
the World Trade Center Attacks,
9/11/01
Anthrax Letters, Oct 2002
CDC Emergency Operations Center
Summer Student Employment Program
• http://www.cdc.gov/hrmo/intshps2.htm
Student Epidemiology Elective
• Senior medical or veterinary students
• Deadline for application is May 30 of applicant’s Junior year
• 4-8 week internships, field investigations
• Same contact information as EIS
EIS Application
• Applications due in September/October each year
• Interviews in November
• New classes start in July, for a 2 year program
• Contact:
EIS Program Office
EPO-eis@cdc.gov
1 (888) 496-8347
For more information
on CDC and EIS:
www.cdc.gov
www.cdc.gov/eis