2010 Accomplishments

Assisted 19 Epi-Aids and 20 other single/multistate outbreak investigations
PulseNet labs used DNA “fingerprinting” to identify clusters of illnesses faster—submitting over 70,000 DNA “fingerprints” in 2010
Launched Foodborne Outbreak Online Database (FOOD), which allows public access to CDC's database of foodborne outbreaks
PulseNet International, through its seven national and regional laboratory networks, continued tracking foodborne infections around the globe
Co-led and developed a strategic plan for WHO/Global Foodborne Infections Network

Released first estimates of foodborne illness burden in more than a decade
New trends in foodborne illness identified by FoodNet (Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network)
Estimating the attribution of illness to specific food commodities and communicating the dangers of raw milk and raw milk products
Biostatistics and data management training includes 32 classes in basic statistics and statistical elements of epidemiology for CDC staff

Worked with state partners to provide epidemiologic, environmental, and/or laboratory support Epi-Aids to Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi and 10 outbreak consultations
Helped improve the overall capacity of states to recognize, investigate, and report waterborne outbreaks through trainings, consultations, assistance, and operation of the National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS-Water)
CDC's Healthy Water Web site exceeded 1 million page views only 2 years after its launch
Submitted climate change water adaptation report to the president

The Safe Water System program brought sustainable safe water systems to 24 countries, adding Zimbabwe in 2010
Assisted Ministries of Health with response to outbreaks and promoted global access to WASH
Rapidly produced Web-based prevention and clinical management guidance in Haiti cholera response
Countries treated over 60 billion liters of water—enough to meet the annual needs of 8 million families and prevent 2.7 million diarrheal episodes—using Safe Water System

Worked with state partners to provide epidemiologic, environmental and/or laboratory support through Epi-Aids to Jamaica, Arizona, and Wisconsin; as well as support for 20 other outbreak investigations
Built capacity in states to recognize, investigate, and report outbreaks through training, consultations, and assistance
Published first national incidence estimate for fungal infections in transplant recipients derived from TRANSNET data
Conducted analysis of candidemia surveillance showing that incidence has increased in Baltimore and nearly doubled in Atlanta
Completed preliminary studies in Thailand of lateral flow (“dipstick”) assay for detecting cryptococcal antigen, so this common infection can now be rapidly, easily, and economically diagnosed

Helped develop the rapid surveillance system, led epidemiological investigations, and taught the Haitian medical community how to treat cholera
Committed over 11,000 staff hours in 5 months to support response
Provided algorithm for laboratory-based screening of stool samples that helped save funds and human resources
Created CDC's first cholera prevention and control training manual for community health workers
Created multilingual community health worker training materials used across Haiti in response to the cholera epidemic
Partnered with Haiti's Ministry of Health in drafting and releasing timely press releases, scientific updates, and MMWR reports
Collaborated with the CDC Biotechnology Core Facility to sequence entire genomes of the Haiti cholera bacteria and made them publicly available

Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases