The World Needs a Strong CDC!

For the fight against new or emerging pathogens like CRE or tracking huge outbreaks, as seen with the recent contaminated steroid injection disaster, we need a strong and well-funded CDC. Apparently, many former CDC Directors agree. In a recent Politico Editorial, William H. Foege (1977-83); Julie Gerberding (2002-08); Jeffrey P. Koplan (1998-2002), James O. Mason (1983-89); William L. Roper (1990-93); and David Satcher (1993-98) expressed great concern that the CDC isn't properly prepared for the threats they are required to face.

The former Directors used the recent steroid-injection case to highlight how stretched thin the current CDC is. Recently, over 300 staff have been pulled in to help respond to the fungal outbreak leaving multiple food-borne illness outbreaks, novel H3N2v swine flu emergence in the Midwest and global issues like SARS-like viruses arising in the Middle East all without an adequate response from our front line public health defenders. You should read the complete editorial.  I agree with everything they say, well, except when they say "Americans depend on a strong CDC." I think it's the whole world.

image source: wikipedia