Outbreak Response and Prevention Branch

CDC's Outbreak Response and Prevention Branch (ORPB) collaborates with epidemiologists and other public health officials who investigate clusters of foodborne, waterborne, zoonotic, and other enteric (gastrointestinal) illnesses in the U.S. ORPB works to ensure rapid and coordinated surveillance, detection, and response to multistate outbreaks caused by enteric bacteria, including Salmonella and Escherichia coli.

Focus Areas

• Coordinate the national network of public health officials who investigate foodborne, waterborne, zoonotic, and other enteric disease outbreaks.
• Provide outbreak assistance to state and local health departments and other groups at CDC who investigate multistate foodborne disease outbreaks.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate tools and strategies for the prevention and control of multistate foodborne and other enteric disease outbreaks.
• Communicate risk to the public and other stakeholders during ongoing outbreaks and create educational materials to prevent enteric illnesses.

Organization & Teams

Branch Chief: Ian Williams, PhD

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