Explaining the Unexplained: Discovering New Diseases Using Advanced Detection Tools

This exciting session of Grand Rounds focused on rapid identification of emerging infectious diseases. As our world increases in interconnectivity of both technology and people, the rapid identification of emerging infectious diseases becomes more important for disease treatment, control, and prevention.

Pathologists and medical examiners are often among the first healthcare workers to encounter infectious disease outbreaks. This session demonstrated their critical role in surveillance and rapid response to emerging infectious diseases. CDC plays an ongoing role in the laboratory diagnosis of infectious illnesses, discovery of new agents, and it collaborates 24/7 with state, local, and international partners in order to track emerging pathogens to explain the unexplained.

Presented By

James M. Hughes, MD
Professor of Medicine (Infectious Diseases)
Emory University School of Medicine
“Back to the Future: Vision to Respond to Emerging Infectious Diseases”

Sherif R. Zaki, MD, PhD
Chief, Infectious Diseases Pathology Branch
National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, CDC
“The Exciting World of a CDC Pathologist”

Kurt B. Nolte, MD
Professor of Pathology and Assistant Chief for Research
Office of the Medical Investigator
University of New Mexico School of Medicine
“Med-X: Medical Examiner Surveillance for Infectious Disease Mortality”

Ruth Lynfield, MD
State Epidemiologist and Medical Director
Minnesota Department of Health
“Unexplained Death Surveillance in Minnesota”

Facilitated By

Tanja Popovic, MD, PhD, Scientific Director, Public Health Grand Rounds
John Iskander, MD, MPH, Deputy Scientific Director, Public Health Grand Rounds
Susan Laird, MSN, RN, Communications Manager, Public Health Grand Rounds