What is an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer? An Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer is someone who tries to find out the source and details of any epidemic in order to find a cure and/or put a stop to it. The officer will investigate people, who have been afflicted with the outbreak, possible causes of the outbreak and possible ways to cure the outbreak. An epidemic intelligence service officer will strive to protect the health and welfare of not only the country, but the world as well.
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Education of an Epidemic Intelligence Officer
An Epidemic Intelligence Officer is required to attend a unique, two-year post-graduate training program. The Epidemic Intelligence Service is an elite group of people who have been chosen and who have chosen to help find a cause and cure to outbreaks that could potentially be fatal to a large number of innocent people. The high standards of the training program is specifically designed to weed out all of those who would not be completely suited for the job.
Recent Epidemic Investigations
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), some of the more recent epidemic investigation cases have included rabies in humans, meningitis in multiple states and necrotizing enterocolitis in infants. The rabies outbreak was suspected to have stemmed from an organ transplant. The multistate meningitis is believed to be caused by injections of methylprednisolone acetate solution. The necrotizing enterocolitis is believed to be caused by infants receiving feeding thickening agents. As you can see, there are many types of epidemics, and the Epidemic Intelligence Service is here to investigate them all.
Related Resource: Pharmacoepidemiology
Who Can Apply?
Physicians, doctor level scientists, veterinarians and medical professionals are all welcome to apply. If you have experience and are currently licensed in these fields, you are already on the right road. If you are not a United States citizen, there are certain stipulations and criteria that you must meet in order to be able to get the job. Since you have to receive CDC clearance, it is important to read through the CDC’s information before applying for the job. The number of non-US residents allowed to participate in the program is limited, and they have to be able to meet all of the specified criteria that are listed.
As an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer, you will be helping the people of the United States in remaining a healthy and productive nation. Your job may include being unintentionally exposed to diseases and ailments that you otherwise would not be exposed to. You will also be fighting to find cures for outbreaks that have already occurred. If you are truly interested in becoming an epidemic intelligence service officer, your first step would be reviewing the information located on the CDC site, and then ensuring that you are fully qualified and capable of handling all of the duties that come along with it. As an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer you will be the people who will help to save the country when an epidemic occurs.