Over the past 50 years, CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) officers have worked on the front lines to identify and combat the root causes of major epidemics in this country and across the world.

CDC’s EIS officers work at the request of state and local health departments, who are our vital partners in any investigation. On occasion, cases arise that give CDC’s scientists a chance to work with our partner federal agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Both CDC and NIH are major operating divisions of the Department of Health and Human Services.

These "disease detectives" work to locate causes of both known and unknown diseases like those depicted on the NBC series Medical Investigation.

Investigations: In Depth
More information on the subjects presented on Medical Investigation.

Team [October 15, 2004]

This week on Medical Investigation, the team travels to Nebraska to investigate 2 college football players who have become ill. Originally, meningitis is suspected. The athletes are diagnosed with malignant multiple sclerosis. The cause is a suspected use of “designer drugs,” specifically GHB. However, this speculation is proved false.

The team finally determines the athletes became ill from drinking “organic milk” from cows raised on the campus. The USDA’s National Organic Program regulates the production and safety of organic milk in this country.

In the meantime, a number of co-eds are admitted to the hospital. Two of the girls test positive for strep throat. It is determined, however, that this diagnosis does not account for their primary symptoms. These two, as well as their classmates, are finally diagnosed with mercury poisoning.

CDC epidemiologists have worked on several cases involving mercury poisoning, including Mercury Poisoning Associated with Beauty Cream -- Texas, New Mexico, and California, 1995-1996.

Watch for Investigations: In Depth each week following Medical Investigation.