Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy
Encyclopedia
The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) is a center within the University of Minnesota
that focuses on addressing public health preparedness and emerging infectious disease response. It was founded in 2001 by Michael Osterholm
, PhD, MPH, in order to "prevent illness and death from infectious diseases through epidemiological research and rapid translation of scientific information into real-world practical applications and solutions".
MCEIRS was established by the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) and CIDRAP in April 2007. The center focuses on the detection, epidemiology, ecology, and transmission of avian influenza (AI) viruses with pandemic potential. MCEIRS is one of six NIH-supported centers in the United States conducting a variety of research and surveillance activities domestically and abroad. The overall goal is to enhance understanding of how AI viruses evolve, adapt, and spread among animal populations and from animals to humans.
MCEIRS initiatives under way in North America and Southeast Asia are aimed at identifying and analyzing AI viruses in wild birds, poultry, swine, and humans having close contact with animals at high risk of infection. Specific goals include:
air-monitoring program. This program is responsible for the constant monitoring for potential bioterrorism-related agents in cities throughout the United States. Through its contract with the Department of Homeland Security, CIDRAP provides support for the development of national outdoor and indoor guidance documents, a national epidemiology communications network, and a suite of related program and reference documents.
In 2007,CIDRAP News received an Award for Excellence in Health Care Journalism from the Association of Health Care Journalists for its seven-part series, "The Pandemic Vaccine Puzzle."
Public Health Practices
MCIERS
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
that focuses on addressing public health preparedness and emerging infectious disease response. It was founded in 2001 by Michael Osterholm
Michael Osterholm
Michael T. Osterholm, Ph.D., M.P.H., is a prominent public health scientist and a nationally recognized biosecurity expert in the United States. Osterholm is the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, a professor in the School of Public...
, PhD, MPH, in order to "prevent illness and death from infectious diseases through epidemiological research and rapid translation of scientific information into real-world practical applications and solutions".
Minnesota Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (MCEIRS)
MCEIRS was established by the National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health are an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and are the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research. Its science and engineering counterpart is the National Science Foundation...
(NIH) and CIDRAP in April 2007. The center focuses on the detection, epidemiology, ecology, and transmission of avian influenza (AI) viruses with pandemic potential. MCEIRS is one of six NIH-supported centers in the United States conducting a variety of research and surveillance activities domestically and abroad. The overall goal is to enhance understanding of how AI viruses evolve, adapt, and spread among animal populations and from animals to humans.
MCEIRS initiatives under way in North America and Southeast Asia are aimed at identifying and analyzing AI viruses in wild birds, poultry, swine, and humans having close contact with animals at high risk of infection. Specific goals include:
- rapid identification and characterization of AI viruses
- collection and storage of viral isolates
- provision of genetic and antiviral susceptibility data on highly pathogenic AI viruses
- targeted research on key questions and information gaps regarding the ecology, natural history, epidemiology, and transmission of avian influenza viruses
- development of capacity-building education and training programs
BioWatch
CIDRAP has served as at partner in the federal BioWatchBioWatch
BioWatch is a United States Federal Government program to detect the release of pathogens into the air as part of a terrorist attack on major American cities. Reportedly operating in Philadelphia, New York City, Washington, DC, San Diego, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, St...
air-monitoring program. This program is responsible for the constant monitoring for potential bioterrorism-related agents in cities throughout the United States. Through its contract with the Department of Homeland Security, CIDRAP provides support for the development of national outdoor and indoor guidance documents, a national epidemiology communications network, and a suite of related program and reference documents.
CIDRAP Web Site
The CIDRAP Web Site provides daily news updates on emerging infectious diseases, such as Pandemic influenza, BioTerrorism, Food Safety, Avian influenza, and the novel H1N1 influenza A pandemic. Along with news articles, the site provides overviews on various infectious disease topics, as well as lists of selected readings for each topic.Recognition
In 2007,CIDRAP News received an Award for Excellence in Health Care Journalism from the Association of Health Care Journalists for its seven-part series, "The Pandemic Vaccine Puzzle."
External Links
Main CIDRAP WebsitePublic Health Practices
MCIERS