Emerging Infections Program (EIP)

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 12 U.S. sites, including the state of Georgia. the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has been conducting population-based active surveillance for infectious diseases as part of the CDC Emerging Infections Program (EIP) for almost 30 years.  https://www.cdc.gov/emerging-infections-program/php/about/index.html

The Georgia Emerging Infections Program (GA EIP) is a collaboration that includes DPH, Emory University, the Atlanta VA Medical Center (AVAMC).  Emory University and AVAMC conduct surveillance within the 20-county metropolitan statistical area of Atlanta and are empowered to act on behalf of the state health department to conduct public health surveillance, studies, and research. 

Surveillance includes the collection of clinical, demographic, and exposure information, and often submission of clinical material to CDC or the Georgia Public Health Laboratory for additional testing. The diseases under EIP surveillance fall into the following broad categories:  1). Enteric diseases; 2). Invasive bacterial infections; 3). Respiratory viral infections’ 4). Healthcare associated infections. https://dph.georgia.gov/EIP

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, 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.  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, 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 GA EIP conducts active population-based surveillance for laboratory-confirmed influenza associated hospitalizations in the 8-county Atlanta area. GA EIP also performs surveillance for laboratory-confirmed respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19 associated hospitalizations. GA 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 these viral respiratory illness. 

Health Care Associated Infections (HAI)

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 extended spectrum Beta-lactamase producing organisms and non-tuberculous mycobacteria in the 8-county Atlanta area or in some cases specific counties. GA EIP also conducts special studies including prevalence studies at acute care facilities and nursing homes among others.

GA EIP Reporting

Many GA EIP conditions are listed on the Georgia notifiable disease poster.  We conduct surveillance for additional selected conditions in part of Georgia, typically the Atlanta area.  Below is a list of these additional conditions reportable to the GA EIP.  DPH Authority under O.C.G.A. §§ 31-12-1, -2 also applies to these conditions. 

  1. S. pneumoniae urine antigen positive results
  2. Neonatal sepsis
  3. Hospitalized influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19 infections
  4. Invasive (normally sterile body sites) S. aureus infections
  5. Candida bloodstream infections
  6. C. difficile
  7. Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
  8. Gram negatives with extended spectrum beta-lactamases
  9. Invasive E. coli infections
  10. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria
  11. Mold and endemic mycoses 

If you have questions about GA EIP reporting, please call 404-657-2588 and ask for Dr. Tobin-D’Angelo, Dr. Oosmanally, or one of the EIP team members. 

Page last updated 5/5/25