Disease surveillance is the detection, rapid verification and response to epidemic-prone and emerging disease threats. The World Health Organization, the Office of International Epizooties (OIE - an international animal disease surveillance program), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)and the Michigan Disease Surveillance System (MDSS) all work together to minimize the impact of diseases on the health and economy of the world's population.