Global Emerging Infections Surveillance Program Contributions to Pandemic Preparedness and Response

Area of Science:

• Global Health Security
• Epidemiology
• Infectious Disease Surveillance

Background:

• The US Department of Defense (DoD) Global Emerging Infections Surveillance (GEIS) program, established in 1997, is vital for pandemic preparedness.
• It coordinates a global network of DoD laboratories for surveillance of infectious disease threats relevant to military operations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical role of the GEIS program in global infectious disease surveillance.
• To emphasize the program's contribution to mitigating threats to DoD mission readiness and responding to worldwide pathogens.

Main Methods:

• The GEIS program facilitates the collection, characterization, and reporting of major infectious disease events.
• It supports the maintenance of global laboratory networks for real-time data acquisition.

Main Results:

• The GEIS program has been instrumental in responding to significant outbreaks, including COVID-19 and mpox.
• It demonstrates the value of a centralized hub for coordinating international infectious disease surveillance efforts.

Conclusions:

• Continued investment in the GEIS program is essential for sustained global health security.
• The program ensures timely detection and response to emerging infectious diseases, particularly in areas with surveillance gaps.