Which entity provides a national outbreak response team that works with state and local health departments, USDA, and FDA?

• A. FDA
• B. CDC's Outbreak Response Team
• C. EPA
• D. USDA

Answer: (B)

A centralized national outbreak response coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is designed for cross-jurisdictional cases. The Outbreak Response Team at CDC can be mobilized quickly to investigate outbreaks that span multiple states, working closely with state and local health departments and with other federal partners like USDA and FDA. This team coordinates epidemiologic investigations, lab confirmation, data sharing, and communication to control the outbreak and prevent further illness. While FDA and USDA handle regulation and safety within their domains, they don’t provide a single nationwide outbreak response unit; that coordination is led by CDC’s Outbreak Response Team. EPA focuses on environmental concerns and isn’t the lead for national outbreak response.