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The Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System is launched.

1997

SURV
EPD
MIL

After a Presidential Decision Directive issued in 1996 established that the current disease surveillance system was inadequate in being able to provide effective public health measures to prevent disease, the Department of Defense launches a Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System (DoD-GEIS).

The DoD becomes involved in addressing threats of infectious diseases that could affect U.S. national security. The DoD-GEIS will later become part of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Division and will be overseen by the deputy secretary of defense.