Success Stories of CDC Global Health Interventions
Due to the nature of infectious diseases, we will all remain vulnerable until every country in the world can rapidly identify and contain public health threats. Even a single gap in a remote area leaves everyone at risk. CDC closes the gaps by working across sectors to build core public health capacities in surveillance, laboratories, workforce development, and emergency management. Strengthening these public health capacities results in systems that can—and do—stop outbreaks from becoming world-endangering epidemics that threaten America.
In May 2017, Burkina Faso’s National Arbovirus/Viral Hemorrhagic Fever Reference Laboratory achieved capacity to test for Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Rift Valley fever, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika viruses. CDC provided support through hands-on practical training in molecular biology and serology testing, virtual technical consultations, and the provision of reagents and equipment. This broader laboratory testing capacity enables more accurate identification and faster containment of infectious disease threats.
Vietnam Enhances Disease Detection Efforts at Local Level
CDC supported an event-based surveillance (EBS) pilot project from 2016-2017, actively engaging local community members, leaders, and health care staff in the detection and reporting of unusual health events and outbreaks. By December 2017, approximately 9,000 people had been trained, resulting in more than 5,900 early warning signals of potential outbreaks reported. Over 420 disease outbreaks were confirmed, including foodborne illnesses, mumps, diphtheria, chickenpox, and hand, foot, and mouth disease, with more than 400 of the confirmed outbreaks responded to in under 48 hours.
