68th Annual EIS Conference

Digital Press Kit

CDC will hold its annual gathering of past and present disease detectives April 29–May 2, 2019, in Atlanta. The 68th Annual Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Conference will feature presentations on groundbreaking investigations and often life-saving outbreak responses by current EIS officers and their laboratory counterparts, the Laboratory Leadership Service (LLS) fellows.

This year, the conference features several special sessions that will be live-streamed at http://dcelive.com/eis2019external icon, including:

Six TED-style talks

• On April 30, at 3:15 pm ET, and May 2, at 10:30 am ET, six disease detectives will give a behind-the-scenes look at their investigations, including:
  • A multi-state outbreak of more than 100 non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infections caused when a company mishandled vaccines
  • An EIS officer’s experience tackling a meningitis outbreak at a state prison in rural Alabama
  • A complex response to an outbreak of severe bleeding associated with synthetic cannabinoids in Illinois
  • An unusual outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in New Hampshire that was solved by unlikely partners in public health
  • A partnership with law enforcement officers in Los Angeles that helped stop an outbreak of wound botulism among people who use drugs
  • The story of how outdoors enthusiasts and football tailgates helped inspire innovative ways of keeping samples cold while in the field

Alexander D. Langmuir Lecture on the Flint water crisis

• On May 1, at 1:20 pm ET, Mona Hanna-Attisha, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.A.P., of Michigan State University will give the Alexander D. Langmuir Lecture and share how she navigated the complex environment of science, politics, and service to address the Flint, Michigan, water crisis and recovery efforts.

The Stephen B. Thacker opening session on April 29 at 8:45 am ET, and the late-breaking reports and closing remarks on May 2 at 3:15 pm ET will also be available via live stream.

Other events of note include:

• Daily press briefings at noon ET
  • Media can attend these briefings in person in the Savannah 1 room of the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel, or via phone:
    • Media: 888-795-0855
    • Non-Media: 800-369-1605
    • International: 1-630-395-0331
    • Passcode: CDC MEDIA
• Field Epidemiology Training Program International Nights
  • On the evenings of April 30 and May 1, presenters from more than 20 countries will participate in CDC’s Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) International Nightsexternal icon, which will include an exhibit with more than 80 photos of FETP trainees and graduates in action.

Below, you’ll find information on more than 25 featured presentations from this year’s conference, each with a photo of the presenting officer, quote, and other resources for your use.

Featured abstracts:

Spokespersons

Robert R. Redfield, MD

Biography

Robert R. Redfield, MD

“Since 1951, CDC has trained nearly 3,800 EIS officers who have served as disease detectives on the front lines of public health. These dedicated public health professionals are prepared to respond to global health threats at a moment’s notice, embodying CDC’s commitment to global security and domestic preparedness.”

Robert R. Redfield, MD – Director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Eric Pevzner, PhD, MPH (CAPT, USPHS)

Spokesperson Page

Eric Pevzner, PhD, MPH (CAPT, USPHS)

“When we think of the major public health emergencies of the last 50 years from the emergence of the HIV pandemic to the Ebola virus in west Africa to the ongoing opioid crisis affecting communities across the United States, CDC’s epidemic intelligence service officers have always been among the first on the scene. They serve as CDC’s disease detectives and go on to assume essential roles in public health.”

Eric Pevzner, PhD, MPH – Branch Chief of the Epidemiology Workforce Branch; Chief of the EIS Program; EIS Officer, Class of 2005

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