National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases

CDC’s National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) saves lives through the prevention, early detection, and control of infectious disease threats. **Our mission** The National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) was established in 2010, with a mission and scientific activities that trace back to CDC’s earliest days. We are responsible for the prevention and control of a wide range of infectious diseases. This includes rare but deadly diseases like anthrax and Ebola, and more common illnesses like foodborne diseases and healthcare-associated infections. **Infectious Diseases** **Infectious diseases**?are illnesses caused by germs that enter the body, multiply, and can cause an infection. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi can cause infectious diseases. Infectious diseases can spread 1. Between people 2. Between people and animals 3. Through vectors (like biting insects) 4. Through food, water, and the environment **Emerging Infections** **Emerging**?means infections that have increased recently or are threatening to increase in the future. These infections could be - Completely new diseases - Diseases new to an area - Reappearing in an area - Caused by bacteria?that have become resistant to antibiotics **Zoonotic Diseases** **Zoonotic**?means a disease can spread between animals and people, like Lyme disease, *Salmonella*, and rabies.