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Surveillance Information

Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs)

Active Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs) is a core component of CDC's Emerging Infections Programs Network (EIP), a collaboration between CDC, state health departments, and universities. ABCs is an active laboratory- and population-based surveillance system for invasive bacterial pathogens of public health importance. For each case of invasive disease in the surveillance population, a case report with basic demographic information is completed and bacterial isolates are sent to CDC and other reference laboratories for additional laboratory evaluation.

ABCs data have been used to track disease trends, including the decline in pneumococcal disease following the introduction of the pediatric pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and the emergence of serogroup Y meningococcal disease. A program to assist state and local health departments with surveillance for MRSA and drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae has been developed, based primarily on lessons learned from ABCs. ABCs reports and findings.

ABCs brochure (155 KB, 2 pages)

Additional Surveillance Resources

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