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Global Disease Detection (GDD) Operations Center

Global Disease Detection Operations Center CDC's Global Disease Detection Operations Center

The GDD Operations Center is an innovative epidemic intelligence and response operations unit located at CDC headquarters. It uses non-traditional surveillance methods to provide early warning about international disease threats so that CDC can rapidly respond to protect public health in the United States and the global community.

Through its surveillance function, the GDD Operations Center in Atlanta is often the first to alert CDC staff (based in Atlanta and internationally) about a disease outbreak. The GDD Operations Center utilizes multiple sources of information about disease events, including internet-based media reports, scanned for key words in over 50 languages. To investigate and confirm the existence of these outbreaks, the GDD Operations Center relies on a global network, including CDC subject matter experts and their international networks, WHO headquarters and regional offices, and other international partners.The GDD Operations Center also participates in the Biosurveillance Indications and Warning Analytic Community, a U.S. government interagency collaboration that allows 12 agencies to exchange information through a password protected Web-based portal. It is also CDC’s liaison with Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), receiving and responding to requests for international assistance to control disease outbreaks.

In 2009, the GDD Operations Center deployed experts from across CDC to investigate a “mystery illness” on the border of Malawi and Mozambique. CDC experts, in conjunction with WHO, UNICEF, and the CDC office in Malawi, assisted Ministries of Health from both countries to identify the outbreak as epidemic typhoid fever through building essential laboratory capacity in country. Response included prevention and treatment measures.

Typhoid Outbreak: In 2009, the GDD Operations Center deployed experts from across CDC to investigate a “mystery illness” on the border of Malawi and Mozambique.  CDC experts, in conjunction with WHO, UNICEF, and the CDC office in Malawi, assisted Ministries of Health from both countries to identify the outbreak as epidemic typhoid fever through building essential laboratory capacity in country. Response included prevention and treatment measures.

In 2010, the GDD Operations Center outbreak response contingency fund supported the deployment of CDC experts to 14 countries to respond to 17 outbreaks that included:

  • Aflatoxin
  • Avian influenza (H5N1)
  • Anthrax
  • Botulism
  • Cholera
  • Earthquake response
  • Fungal investigation
  • Hepatitis E virus
  • Lead poisoning
  • Legionella
  • Measles
  • Meningitis
  • Nodding disease
  • Polio
  • Q fever

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  • Page last reviewed October 18, 2011
  • Page last updated October 18, 2011
  • Content source: Global Health
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