EpiAid Letter of Support 2019 nCoV

January 22, 2020

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30329
Dear CDC:
I am writing in regard to the international outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This urgent
and evolving public health threat emerged in central China and has rapidly spread to multiple countries,
and the United States confirmed its first case of 2019-nCoV on January 21, 2020, in Washington State.
The potential spread of this new virus remains unknown, but it is highly likely to span multiple states
and territories, and therefore will require a coordinated multi-state and jurisdictional investigation, as
well as specialized assistance and resources to adequately respond. The Council of State and Territorial
Epidemiologists (CSTE) strongly supports a centrally coordinated multi-state and jurisdictional
investigation of 2019-nCoV and recommends multi-state technical assistance from the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A multi-state coordinated investigation to 2019-nCoV will assist each state/local/territory jurisdiction in
making rapid, practical decisions for actions to prevent and control the public health problem. This
approach will streamline and strengthen the response, as opposed to multiple state and jurisdictional
investigations independently addressing 2019-nCoV cases and contacts.

Each jurisdiction participating in the multi-jurisdictional response would retain ownership of and is
responsible for all data collected within their state.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey P. Engel, M.D.
Executive Director
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists