This issue of MMWR commemorates the 50th anniversary of the
Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). In 1951, EIS was established by CDC following the
start of the Korean War as an early-warning system against biologic warfare and
man-made epidemics. EIS officers selected for 2-year field assignments were
primarily medical doctors and other health professionals, such as sanitarians, dentists,
and veterinarians, who focused on infectious disease outbreaks. EIS has expanded
to include a range of public health professionals, such as postdoctoral scientists
in statistics, epidemiology, microbiology, anthropology, sociology, and
behavioral sciences. The scope of work also has expanded to include chronic
disease, environmental health, unintentional injury, violence prevention, and
workplace health and safety. Since 1951, approximately 2500 EIS officers have responded
to requests for epidemiologic assistance within the United States and throughout
the world. Each year, EIS officers are involved in several hundred investigations
of disease and injury problems, enabling CDC and its public health partners to
make recommendations to improve the public's health and safety. Additional
information about EIS and its 50th anniversary is available at http://www.cdc.gov/eis.
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50 Years of the Epidemic Intelligence Service
