CDC in Egypt

Key accomplishments

• Supported the expansion of Egypt’s Event Based Surveillance system which serves as an early warning system for public health events.
• Provided technical assistance to Egypt’s Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) virology lab which serves as the nation’s reference laboratory and is a WHO-designated National Influenza Center.
• Trained more than 3,000 public health officers and healthcare workers on surveillance for adverse events following immunization, communication skills to increase vaccine demand, data management, and evidence-based decision making.
• Trained over 400 graduates of the Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) across all three tiers, including using a One Health approach.
• Eliminated indigenous wild poliovirus transmission in 2006. CDC assists with monitoring for wild poliovirus through ongoing environmental surveillance efforts.
• Expanded the evidence base to inform prevention and control programs and policies related to influenza vaccination.
• Collaborated with the MOH and local partners to implement a tobacco control campaign that reached over 50 million people across Egypt, Jordan, Iran, and Palestine.

Global health security

CDC supports efforts to safeguard public health in Egypt by developing and strengthening disease detection and outbreak response systems, including through capacity-building activities and training in:

• Epidemiology
• Surveillance
• Laboratory diagnostics
• Data management and reporting
• Infection prevention and control
• Outbreak investigations and response

Public health systems

CDC supports capacity building in surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, and data management and reporting focused on complying with International Health Regulations. CDC supported trainings for surveillance data analysis and data visualization to provide timely data for policymakers.

Laboratory systems strengthening

Egypt’s CPHL virology lab serves as the nation’s reference laboratory and a National Influenza Center. CDC collaborates with the CPHL through technical assistance and training, including support for sub-national laboratories. The specimens and influenza data from the lab help inform biannual global recommendations for influenza vaccine antigen composition. In addition, CDC supports the CPHL for lab surveillance of diseases such as COVID-19, measles, and rubella. CDC is also collaborating with Egypt on a laboratory twinning program with Texas’ public health laboratory, promoting information exchange and strengthening genomics skills for respiratory diseases.

Workforce development

CDC supports training the health workforce through FETP. The program was established in Egypt in 1993, making it the second oldest FETP program in the MENA region. CDC’s FETP helps Egypt build critical global health security capabilities. FETP trains future disease detectives and public health leaders. Key leaders at the country’s MOH are FETP graduates.

Surveillance systems

CDC supported expansion of Egypt’s Event Based Surveillance (EBS) system which serves as an early warning system for public health events. This included capacity building of MOH staff on data analysis to provide timely and quality data for decision makers, rebuilding the electronic EBS data management system, and developing a mobile application for real-time data entry.

CDC also supported the development of an electronic vector surveillance system to enable timely detection and response, and analysis of trends. In addition, CDC supported Egypt’s transition to a fully digital immunization system which improved data timeliness and accuracy and enabled identification of coverage gaps. Egypt’s achievement was recognized through the Arab Government Excellence Award in December 2025.

Emergency response

CDC supports efforts to strengthen public health emergency management response capacity through the Public Health Emergency Management (PHEM) Fellowship and Rapid Response Training (RRT). The PHEM fellowship is a 3-month, in-person program that builds public health emergency management capacities within partner nations’ public health authorities.

CDC also supported the development of Egypt’s National RRT Program in 2022. The work included the development of the program’s management team structure, standard operating procedures, and staffing and training of the first RRT cohort on all hazards response. Egypt’s highly effective approach to RRT has been replicated in other countries in the region.

Immunization

Since 1995, CDC has been providing support for vaccine-preventable disease control and prevention. This includes support for eradicating polio; eliminating measles, rubella, and congenital rubella syndrome; and enhancing routine immunization services. During and shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasis was placed on supporting COVID-19 vaccine rollout and restoring routine immunization services. CDC’s support for immunization system strengthening played a key role in the recertification of Egypt’s measles and rubella elimination status.

Respiratory and viral diseases

For over 20 years, CDC’s Global Influenza Program, the MOH, and partners have strengthened Egypt’s capacity to respond to influenza and other respiratory viral disease threats. CDC works to achieve these goals by providing epidemiologic and laboratory technical support for influenza detection, response, and prevention. CDC works on expanding the evidence base to inform prevention and control programs and policies, including influenza vaccination in support of pandemic preparedness. CDC also supports Egypt’s efforts to strengthen capacities around other respiratory viral diseases, including respiratory syncytial virus or RSV.

Smoking and respiratory diseases

Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, and Palestine implemented a tobacco control campaign in 2022-2023 reaching over 50 million people in the region. The “United Against Tobacco and COVID-19” campaign was developed after many governments realized the increased risk of severe illness among smokers. This regional campaign was a collaboration between CDC, the MOHs, Vital Strategies, and the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network.

Fact sheet

Egypt Fact Sheet

Download U.S. CDC's country fact sheet for Egypt.

Mar 19, 2026

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Publications

Related links