What to know
EIS officers can provide epidemiologic assistance to CDC, state, local, and tribal health departments, and other public health partners. See below to request assistance or to learn about available training resources and other state services provided by CDC.
Opportunities & Updates
The 2025 fellowship application period is closed. The next application period will open in March 2025.
The 2025 host site application period is closed. The next application period will open in December 2024.
For questions about the EIS program, please contact us directly at EISApplication@cdc.gov.
Urgent Assistance (Epi-Aid)
Short-term assistance for an urgent public health problem
An Epi-Aid enables rapid response by CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officers in investigating urgent public health problems, such as infectious and noninfectious disease outbreaks, unexplained illnesses, or natural or manmade disasters.
What is an Epi-Aid?
An Epi-Aid is an investigation of an urgent public health problem, such as infectious or noninfectious disease outbreaks, unexplained illnesses, or natural or manmade disasters. When officials with authority for public health requests assistance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an Epi-Aid enables rapid, short-term (1–3 weeks), generally onsite, technical assistance by EIS officers and other CDC subject matter experts. The focus of an Epi-Aid investigation is to assist partners in making rapid, practical decisions for actions to control and prevent the public health problem.
Who participates?
An Epi-Aid team must include at least one EIS officer from outside the jurisdiction requesting assistance. The CDC team might include additional fellows and staff and will be supervised by subject matter experts. This team works closely with local staff in the jurisdiction that requested assistance. The requesting public health authority provides overall leadership for the investigation, while the Epi-Aid team provides technical assistance.
Who can request an Epi-Aid?
Various officials with authority for public health can request an Epi-Aid:
- State and territorial public health authorities
- Local public health authorities, in coordination with the state authorities
- Elected tribal leaders of federally recognized tribes
- Foreign countries' ministry of health authorities
- Federal agency officials
- American military base commanding generals
- CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program officials
Can a local jurisdiction request an Epi-Aid?
Yes. CDC responds to direct requests from local jurisdictions. When a local jurisdiction requests an Epi-Aid, CDC is committed to ensuring the state is aware of the request and is appropriately engaged in the Epi-Aid. The EIS program frequently helps with coordination among the state and local jurisdictions and CDC programs.
How can a public health authority request an Epi-Aid?
- The requesting official with authority for public health contacts the subject matter expert at CDC or the EIS program (EpiAid@cdc.gov) for an initial discussion of the technical assistance needed.
- The CDC subject matter expert and the EIS program discuss the Epi-Aid request and determine if CDC can support the Epi-Aid. Once CDC decides it can support the Epi-Aid, CDC notifies the requesting official.
- If CDC can support the Epi-Aid, the requesting official must send a written invitation by email to the CDC subject matter expert or to the EIS Program at EpiAid@cdc.gov.
How do Epi-Aids benefit public health?
An Epi-Aid benefits public health in several ways. Epi-Aids can:
- Increase the technical capacity and workforce available for rapid response
- Streamline access to CDC subject matter experts and laboratory resources
- Build epidemiologic capacity through collaboration
- Enhance public health relationships
- Contribute to practical understanding about the problem being addressed
What is the role of the requesting public health authority?
The public health authority provides overall leadership of the Epi-Aid investigation while benefitting from a collaborative relationship with the Epi-Aid team. The public health authority generally retains custody and control over all data collected as part of the investigation. After the Epi-Aid is completed, the public health authority often requests CDC's continued collaboration and assistance in data analysis, report writing, presentation preparation, and additional programmatic technical assistance.
Quick Reference: Requesting an Epi-Aid
Epi & Training Resources
The CDC Field Epidemiology Manual — This manual serves as an essential resource for epidemiologists and other health professionals working in local, state, national, and international settings for effective outbreak response to acute and emerging threats.
CDC EIS Case Studies in Applied Epidemiology — Collection of student versions of nine case studies used to train new officers in the Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS). Instructor guides available only to trainers or instructors on request.
Principles of Epidemiology in Public Health Practice, Third Edition: An Introduction to Applied Epidemiology and Biostatistics — A web version of a printed book suitable for instructor-led settings or self-study. Six lessons cover basic epidemiology principles, concepts, and disease surveillance or investigation procedures.
Public Health 101 Series — A set of courses that provides an introduction to public health and covers the sciences essential to public health practice. Topics include epidemiology, public health informatics and surveillance, health economics, public health laboratory science, and related fields.
Teaching Case Studies — Case studies on epidemiology and prevention and population health offered by the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research. Available for download and suitable for population health education in a variety of disciplines.
TEPHINET — Training Programs in Epidemiology and Public Health Interventions Network — Professional network of 55 field epidemiology training programs (FETPs) around the world offers a short course on innovative surveillance and other resources.
Toxicological Outbreak Investigation Course and Toolkit | CDC — Collection of sample customizable documents that can be used during an outbreak investigation.
Media Requests
Request interviews and information for news media stories via CDC's Division of Media Relations.
Contact Us
Speak with an officer, alum or request program information by emailing EISoperations@cdc.gov.