CDC creates center to forecast disease outbreaks, issue warnings

CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky said it was the first government-wide public health forecasting center in US.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has created a new center designed to provide early warnings and real-time data on disease threats and outbreaks.

In a statement Wednesday, the CDC said the move was addressing a critical need to improve the US government’s ability to forecast and model emerging health threats. (AP)

It comes as the Covid-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges not only for the US, but across the globe. In a statement Wednesday, the CDC said the move was addressing a critical need to improve the US government’s ability to forecast and model emerging health threats.

Funded by the American Rescue Plan stimulus package, the new department will use data to help public health decision-makers mitigate the effects of disease threats, such as social and economic disruption. The agency will tap the private sector and academia for staffing.

CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky said it was the first government-wide public health forecasting center in US.

“We are excited to have the expertise and ability to model and forecast public health concerns and share information in real-time to activate governmental, private sector, and public actions in anticipation of threats both domestically and abroad,” she said in the statement.