The World Health Organization predicts the next influenza pandemic (illness affecting around 25 percent of the world’s population, more than 1.5 billion people) will likely be of an avian variety. Such
zoonotic diseases spread by the transfer of infectious agents between humans and animals. Were these or more aggressive pathogens to emerge on a broad scale or as a biological weapon, devastating public health consequences could ensue.

At the helm of research and training programs in zoonotic diseases is internationally recognized Colorado State University. Actively developing diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics for multiple
biodefense and emerging infectious diseases are two entities; the NIH/NIAID funded Rocky Mountain Regional Center of Excellence for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases Research (RMRCE)
and the Rocky Mountain Regional Biocontainment Laboratory (RBL). They employ the research capabilities of affiliated universities, federal laboratories and partnering companies and unite with industry and government agencies to discover, develop, deploy
products and solutions for public health needs.