Emory Hosts Pakistani Health Delegation

Emory Hosts Pakistani Health Delegation to Advance Global Collaboration on Infectious Disease Response

ATLANTA, GA – July 2, 2025 — Emory University’s Serious Communicable Diseases Program (SCDP), in partnership with the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC), welcomed 11 public health professionals from Pakistan as part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The visit centered on the theme, “Tackling Waterborne and Vector-borne Diseases to Strengthen Health Sector Resilience.”

Dr. Aneesh Mehta and Dr. Gavin Harris led the session, providing insights into best practices and cutting-edge resources for the detection, containment, and treatment of high consequence infectious diseases. The exchange aimed to foster international collaboration and share innovations in managing complex infectious disease threats.

During the visit, the delegation toured Emory’s Serious Communicable Diseases Unit (SCDU), a high-level isolation unit developed in close collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the separate SCDU Laboratory. The SCDU is one of only 13 such units in the United States, specifically designed to care for patients with suspect or confirmed high consequence infectious diseases acquired in the field or laboratory settings.

This visit highlights Emory’s ongoing commitment to global health security and its leadership in advancing preparedness and response capabilities for emerging infectious diseases.