Which agency is primarily responsible for tracking disease outbreaks in the United States?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the agency primarily responsible for tracking disease outbreaks in the United States. The CDC plays a crucial role in public health by monitoring and investigating infectious diseases, providing data, and implementing strategies to prevent outbreaks from spreading. Through its surveillance systems, the CDC collects and analyzes health data to detect and respond to disease outbreaks in a timely manner. This includes working with state and local health departments to gather information, identify trends, and coordinate public health responses.

Each of the other agencies has important roles in public health and safety, but they focus on different areas. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) primarily regulates food safety and pharmaceuticals, while the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is focused on biomedical research and advancing medical knowledge. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for protecting human health and the environment, but it does not manage infectious disease outbreaks. Therefore, the distinct focus of the CDC on epidemiology and outbreak response makes it the leading agency for tracking diseases in the United States.