The BCCDC conducts surveillance, investigations, and studies of viral diseases to define disease etiology and to develop effective methods for prevention, diagnosis, and control by doing the following:

• conducts or participates in clinical, field, and laboratory research to develop, evaluate, and improve laboratory methods and materials and therapeutic practices used for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of viral diseases;
• conducts research on virus transmission to develop effective control strategies and on vaccine effectiveness to assess prevention potential;
• conducts ecological studies to develop effective disease prevention and control measures of viral, rickettsial, and zoonotic infections;
• provides epidemic aid and epidemiologic consultation, upon request, to state and local health authorities, other Federal agencies, and national and international health organizations;
• provides reference/diagnostic services for viral and rickettsial diseases to state and local health authorities, other agencies.