The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, is a component of the Department of Health and Human Services of the federal government. It’s main purpose is to track and prevent diseases and viruses that could effect large populations of the United States, although it also has other functions such as administering health warnings, registering toxic materials, setting safety guidelines for workplaces and other public health administrative tasks.

The CDC was formed in 1946 and was known then as the Communicable Disease Center. Its first task, and the reason for its formation in the first place, was to eradicate malaria using pesticides and an army of sprayers. Today, the CDC is most known for its tracking of disease outbreaks across the country. Food-born illnesses like Ecoli as well as other viruses such as Swine Flu are tracked by the CDC and its staff works to isolate and treat the outbreaks. The CDC is also a leader in scientific research to develop cures and vaccines for viruses as they come.

For more information about the CDC, please visit their Website at www.cdc.gov/.