Research Activities
The term "emerging infectious diseases" (EIDs) includes newly emerging infections (e.g., SARS); re-emerging/resurging infections (e.g., influenza, West Nile virus); and deliberately emerging infections (e.g., microbes used for bioterror).
NIAID supports and conducts research on basic and applied aspects of host, pathogen, and environmental factors that influence disease emergence and transmission as well as on the development of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics necessary to detect and control infectious diseases. NIAID also supports clinincal research on emerging, re-emerging, and intractable infectious diseases. (For information on NIH clinical trials, see www.ClinicalTrials.gov.)
Additionally, NIAID supports training programs to maintain and develop the national and international scientific expertise required to respond to future health threats.
The NIAID divisions that support EID research are