Emerging Infections Program (EIP)

The Emerging Infections Program (EIP) is a collaborative project between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and 10 U.S. sites, including the state of Georgia.

The Georgia Emerging Infections Program (GA EIP) is a collaboration that includes the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), Emory University, the Atlanta VA Medical Center (AVAMC).  The GA EIP conducts active surveillance and initiates research studies related to food-borne pathogens, invasive bacterial pathogens, viral respiratory pathogens, and healthcare-associated infections.  

Georgia became an EIP site in 1996 with activities in the 8 counties of metropolitan Atlanta. In 1999, GA EIP expanded its catchment area to the entire state.  The GA EIP conducts surveillance and special studies in 4 program areas that are described below.

Emory University and AVAMC conduct surveillance within the 20 county metropolitan statistical area of Atlanta and are agents of the Georgia DPH and are thus empowered to act on behalf of the state health department to conduct public health surveillance, studies, and research.  

Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs)

ABCs is an active laboratory- and population-based surveillance system for invasive bacterial pathogens of public health importance. ABCs surveillance includes Pertussis, Legionellosis, invasive Haemophilus influenzae, invasive Neisseria meningitidis, invasive Neisseria gonorrheae, invasive Group A Streptococcus, invasive Group B Streptococcus (GBS), invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae, and invasive Neisseria gonorrheae statewide.  Surveillance for Streptococcus pneumoniae urine antigen positive tests and neonatal sepsis is conducted in the 8-county Atlanta area. Special studies include early and late onset GBS and vaccine effectiveness studies.

Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (FoodNet)

FoodNet is the principal foodborne disease component of CDC's Emerging Infections Program and provides the data necessary for measuring the progress in foodborne disease prevention. FoodNet organisms under surveillance include Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, E. coli (O157& shiga toxin positive), Listeria, Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio, and Yersinia statewide. FoodNet also conducts surveillance for hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

Viral Respiratory Surveillance

The Georgia EIP conducts active population-based surveillance for laboratory-confirmed influenza associated hospitalizations in the 8-county Atlanta area. Georgia EIP also performs surveillance for laboratory-confirmed respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) associated hospitalizations among adults. EIP sites also conduct influenza vaccine effectiveness evaluations among groups for which Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends annual vaccination and additional studies to better estimate the burden of viral respiratory illness caused by influenza and RSV. 

Health Care Associated Infections (HAI)

Healthcare Associated Infections-Community Interface (HAIC) projects include active population-based surveillance for  Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), invasive Staphylococcus aureus, Candidemia, invasive mold, and carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae, Acinetobacter baumanii, and Pseudomonas aeruginos in the 8-county Atlanta area. GA EIP also conducts special studies including prevalence studies at acute care facilities and nursing homes among others.

EIP Annual Conference

Visit here to see 2018 conference materials and previous years’ materials.

Page last updated 05/16/2018