50th Anniversary of CDC’s High-Containment Laboratories

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of CDC’s High-Containment Labs. With each new HCL facility, CDC has expanded the agency’s research capabilities, resulting in better understanding of mysterious pathogens, as well as the development of new tests to detect deadly diseases and improved treatments to help people survive. While CDC reflects on the successes of the past 50 years in the HCLs, we also look toward the future. In an increasingly mobile and connected world, the next outbreak is just a plane ride away. Thanks to cutting-edge research facilities like the HCLs—and the dedicated laboratory scientists who work in them—CDC remains vigilant, ready to respond.

Newsletter Excerpt for Partners

CDC has a rich history of laboratory work investigating some of the most deadly pathogens in the world, and this year marks the 50th Anniversary of CDC’s High-Containment Laboratories. As CDC celebrates this milestone, we encourage our partners to find out more about the past, present, and future of our vital work in the HCLs.

  • In 1969, CDC opened its first permanent high-containment lab (HCL) in response to the first outbreak of Marburg virus; the opening coincided with the emergence of Lassa fever. Since then, CDC’s HCLs have been used to study deadly diseases like Ebola, smallpox, and highly pathogenic strains of flu.
  • From the original 1969 lab, to subsequent facilities opened in 1978, 1989, and 2008, each new HCL has expanded the agency’s research capabilities, resulting in better understanding of mysterious pathogens, as well as the development of new tests to detect deadly diseases and improved treatments to help save lives.
  • In 2018, Congress approved funding to build a new state-of-the-art high containment continuity lab – this fifth building will open in 2025, keeping our facilities modern so we can continue our highly specialized work and world-class leadership in lab science.

As CDC celebrates this milestone, we encourage our partners to find out more about the past, present, and future of our vital work in the HCLs. Click or tap here to learn more.

Social Media Messages and Graphics

Spread the word about the 50th Anniversary of CDC’s High-Containment Labs using your social media channels and networks. Simply copy and paste these messages into your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds. Right-click to save any of the images.

Social Media Content

Twitter

This year marks the 50th anniversary of CDC’s high-containment #laboratory work investigating the world’s deadliest pathogens. Learn more about this important milestone: https://bit.ly/2lys4z7

CDC’s high-containment labs have advanced, from the first in 1969 to later facilities opened in 1978, 1989, & 2008. Over the last 50 years, each new lab has expanded our research capabilities for new tests & treatments for deadly diseases. https://bit.ly/2lys4z7

CDC’s high-containment labs are outfitted with safety features that let scientists work in a secure environment, protecting lab workers and the public. Learn about the last 50 years of these high-tech labs and how CDC puts #safetyfirst: https://bit.ly/2lys4z7

Staying on the cutting edge of scientific innovation has let CDC’s high-containment labs play a vital role in responding to newly discovered infectious diseases over the past 50 years. Read more: https://bit.ly/2lys4z7

Looking Ahead: CDC’s fifth and newest high-containment lab is projected to open in 2025, keeping our facilities modern so we can continue our highly specialized work and world-class leadership in lab science. https://bit.ly/2lys4z7 #BeReady

Since 1969, CDC’s high-containment laboratories have expanded the agency’s understanding of mysterious pathogens and increased our ability to respond to infectious outbreaks. Learn more as we celebrate #50Years: https://bit.ly/2lys4z7

Thanks to cutting-edge research facilities like CDC’s high-containment laboratories—and the dedicated scientists who work in them—CDC remains vigilant, ready to respond to health threats around the world. https://bit.ly/2lys4z7 #BeReady

Facebook/Instagram

This year marks the 50th anniversary of CDC’s rich history of high-containment laboratory work investigating the world’s deadliest pathogens. Thanks to cutting-edge research facilities like CDC’s labs—and the dedicated scientists who work in them—CDC remains vigilant, ready to respond to health threats around the world. https://bit.ly/2lys4z7 #BeReady

In 1969, CDC opened its first permanent high-containment lab (HCL) to protect scientists while they worked with dangerous infectious pathogens. At the time they were responding to the first outbreak of Marburg virus, and the opening coincided with the emergence of Lassa fever. Since then, CDC’s HCLs have been used to study deadly diseases like Ebola, smallpox, and highly pathogenic strains of flu. This year marks the 50th anniversary of CDC’s HCLs – learn more about this important milestone: https://bit.ly/2lys4z7

For the past 50 years, the design and construction of CDC’s high-containment labs (HCLs) have kept pace with advances in technology and research methods. From the original 1969 lab, to subsequent facilities opened in 1978, 1989, and 2008, each new HCL has expanded the agency’s research capabilities, resulting in better understanding of mysterious pathogens, as well as the development of new tests to detect deadly diseases and improved treatments to help save lives. https://bit.ly/2lys4z7

Modern high-containment labs are outfitted with a wide variety of safety features that let scientists work in a secure environment that protects both laboratory personnel and the public. CDC’s fifth and newest high-containment lab will open in 2025, keeping our facilities on the cutting edge of new scientific innovation so we can continue our highly specialized work and world-class leadership in lab science. https://bit.ly/2lys4z7 #BeReady

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50th Anniversary of CDC's High-Containment Laboratories

50th Anniversary of CDC's High-Containment Laboratories

50th Anniversary of CDC's High-Containment Laboratories