# CDC API

> CDC returns disease facts, vaccine schedules, and travel health information as a workflow and API.

CDC’s Get disease facts returns disease information when given a disease name. CDC’s Get vaccine schedule returns vaccines and dose guidance for a supplied age or age group. CDC’s travel methods return health notices or destination guidance when given an optional or required destination.

- Page: https://fous.com/tools/cdc
- Handle: `@cdc`
- Category: [Health](https://fous.com/tools/category/health)
- Source website: https://cdc.gov
- Last verified: Sep 29, 2026

## Methods

### Get disease facts

Operation `get_disease_facts`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Get CDC facts about a disease by name, including symptoms, spread, prevention, treatment, and higher-risk groups when covered. A review date is returned only when CDC labels one.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `disease` | string | yes | `"Lyme disease"` | Disease name in plain words, for example, measles or Lyme disease. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "disease"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "disease": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "Disease name in plain words, for example, measles or Lyme disease.",
      "examples": [
        "Lyme disease",
        "measles",
        "malaria"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "disease": "Lyme disease"
    },
    {
      "disease": "measles"
    },
    {
      "disease": "malaria"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `overview` | string or null | `"Some people think of measles as just a little rash and fever that clear up in a few days. But measles can cause serious` | What the disease is. |
| `symptoms` | string or null | `"Untreated Lyme disease can produce a wide range of symptoms, depending on the stage of infection. These include fever, ` | Signs and symptoms. |
| `treatment` | string or null | `"Early diagnosis and proper antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease are important and can help prevent more serious forms o` | Treatment information. |
| `prevention` | string or null | `"Prevent tick bites The best defense against Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites . This will reduce your risk of other` | How to prevent it. |
| `disease_name` | string | `"Lyme Disease"` | The disease name used by CDC. |
| `how_it_spreads` | string or null | `"Lyme disease bacteria causing human infection in the United States are spread to people by blacklegged ( Ixodes ) ticks` | How it spreads or is acquired. |
| `main_page_link` | string | `"https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/about/index.html"` | The CDC disease facts page. |
| `who_is_at_higher_risk` | string or null |  | People at higher risk when identified by CDC. |
| `page_last_reviewed_date` | string or null |  | Explicitly labeled review date in YYYY-MM-DD, if shown. |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "disease": "Lyme disease"
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "overview": "In the United States, Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and rarely, Borrelia mayonii . It occurs most commonly in the Northeast, mid-Atlantic, and upper-Midwest regions. Lym…",
  "symptoms": "Untreated Lyme disease can produce a wide range of symptoms, depending on the stage of infection. These include fever, rash, facial paralysis, an irregular heartbeat, and arthritis.",
  "treatment": "Early diagnosis and proper antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease are important and can help prevent more serious forms of the disease. Following antibiotic treatment, some people with Lyme disease have…",
  "prevention": "Prevent tick bites The best defense against Lyme disease is to prevent tick bites . This will reduce your risk of other tickborne diseases as well. What to do after a tick bite Remove attached ticks a…",
  "disease_name": "Lyme Disease",
  "how_it_spreads": "Lyme disease bacteria causing human infection in the United States are spread to people by blacklegged ( Ixodes ) ticks.",
  "main_page_link": "https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/about/index.html",
  "who_is_at_higher_risk": null,
  "page_last_reviewed_date": null
}
```

### Get travel vaccines

Operation `get_travel_vaccines`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Get CDC traveler vaccines, medicines, routine vaccine reminders, and malaria guidance for a destination. Recommendations can vary by itinerary and traveler; read the linked country page for details.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `destination` | string | yes | `"Kenya"` | Country name, for example Kenya or Thailand. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "destination"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "destination": {
      "type": "string",
      "minLength": 1,
      "description": "Country name, for example Kenya or Thailand.",
      "examples": [
        "Kenya",
        "Thailand",
        "France"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "destination": "Kenya"
    },
    {
      "destination": "Thailand"
    },
    {
      "destination": "France"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `page_link` | string | `"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya"` | CDC destination page. |
| `destination` | string | `"Kenya"` | Destination named by CDC. |
| `malaria_advice` | object or null |  |  |
| `malaria_advice.areas` | array |  | CDC malaria transmission areas. |
| `malaria_advice.advice` | string |  | CDC malaria advice, including area-specific exceptions. |
| `malaria_advice.recommended` | boolean | `true` | Whether CDC recommends preventive malaria medicine for at least some areas. |
| `malaria_advice.recommended_medicines` | array |  | Medicines named in CDC recommended chemoprophylaxis guidance. |
| `vaccines_and_medicines` | array |  | Vaccines and preventive medicines listed by CDC, excluding the separate routine vaccine reminder. Notes reproduce the CDC recommendations. |
| `vaccines_and_medicines[].name` | string | `"COVID-19"` |  |
| `vaccines_and_medicines[].notes` | string | `"All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see Your COVID-19 Vaccination for more` |  |
| `vaccines_and_medicines[].page_link` | string or null | `"https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html"` | CDC page for the disease or vaccine, when linked. |
| `vaccines_and_medicines[].who_should_get_it` | string or null | `"All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines."` | CDC wording for the recommended traveler group, when stated. |
| `routine_vaccines_reminder` | string or null | `"Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include Chickenpox (Vari` | CDC routine vaccine recommendation and its listed vaccine examples, if given. |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "destination": "Kenya"
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "page_link": "https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/kenya",
  "destination": "Kenya",
  "malaria_advice": {
    "areas": [
      "All areas (including game parks) <2,500 m (<8,200 ft) elevation; rare cases in the highly urbanized central part of the city of Nairobi (the capital)"
    ],
    "advice": "CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Kenya take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple da…",
    "recommended": true,
    "recommended_medicines": [
      "Atovaquone-proguanil",
      "doxycycline"
    ]
  },
  "vaccines_and_medicines": [
    {
      "name": "COVID-19",
      "notes": "All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see Your COVID-19 Vaccination for more information.",
      "page_link": "https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html",
      "who_should_get_it": "All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines."
    },
    {
      "name": "Chikungunya",
      "notes": "All travelers should take steps to prevent mosquito bites. Chikungunya vaccination is generally not recommended. Travelers who wish to consider vaccination can visit “What to consider before traveling…",
      "page_link": "https://www.cdc.gov/chikungunya/about/index.html",
      "who_should_get_it": "Chikungunya vaccination is generally not recommended."
    }
  ],
  "routine_vaccines_reminder": "Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include Chickenpox (Varicella) Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP, Tdap, or Td) Flu (influenza) Measles-M…"
}
```

### Get vaccine schedule

Operation `get_vaccine_schedule`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

Get vaccines shown for an age on CDC’s child and adolescent or adult immunization schedule, including dose guidance and conditional recommendations. Catch-up and special situations depend on vaccination history and health status; when a dose count is not given in the age table, it is left blank.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `age` | string | yes | `"4 months"` | Age or age group in plain words, such as 4 months, 12 years, 65, or adult. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "age"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "age": {
      "type": "string",
      "examples": [
        "4 months"
      ],
      "description": "Age or age group in plain words, such as 4 months, 12 years, 65, or adult."
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "age": "4 months"
    },
    {
      "age": "12 years"
    },
    {
      "age": "adult"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `schedule` | string | `"Child and adolescent"` | Child and adolescent or adult schedule. |
| `vaccines` | array |  |  |
| `vaccines[].notes` | string | `"Routine age recommendation. 1 dose depending on maternal RSV vaccination status, See Notes. Follow the linked CDC sched` |  |
| `vaccines[].page_link` | string | `"https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/child-adolescent-notes.html#note-rsv-nirsevimab"` |  |
| `vaccines[].vaccine_name` | string | `"Respiratory syncytial virus"` |  |
| `vaccines[].number_of_doses` | any | `"1 dose"` |  |
| `vaccines[].recommended_timing` | string | `"4 monthnths"` |  |
| `last_updated` | string | `"2025-07-02"` | Date displayed as the schedule page’s last update. |
| `schedule_page` | string | `"https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/child-adolescent-age.html"` | CDC schedule page. |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "age": "4 months"
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "schedule": "Child and adolescent",
  "vaccines": [
    {
      "notes": "Routine age recommendation. 1 dose depending on maternal RSV vaccination status, See Notes. Follow the linked CDC schedule notes for details.",
      "page_link": "https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/child-adolescent-notes.html#note-rsv-nirsevimab",
      "vaccine_name": "Respiratory syncytial virus",
      "number_of_doses": "1 dose",
      "recommended_timing": "4 monthnths"
    },
    {
      "notes": "Catch-up vaccination if behind. Check CDC notes for eligibility and dosing.",
      "page_link": "https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/child-adolescent-notes.html#note-hepb",
      "vaccine_name": "Hepatitis B (HepB)",
      "number_of_doses": null,
      "recommended_timing": "4 monthnths"
    },
    {
      "notes": "Routine age recommendation. 2 nd dose",
      "page_link": "https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/child-adolescent-notes.html#note-rotavirus",
      "vaccine_name": "Rotavirus (RV)",
      "number_of_doses": "1 dose (dose 2 of the series)",
      "recommended_timing": "4 monthnths"
    }
  ],
  "last_updated": "2025-07-02",
  "schedule_page": "https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/imz-schedules/child-adolescent-age.html"
}
```

### List travel health notices

Operation `list_travel_health_notices`, version 1. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.

List current CDC Travelers’ Health notices, newest first, with destinations, levels, posted dates, travel advice, and notice links. Country filtering also matches destinations named in multi-country notices.

**Input**

| Field | Type | Required | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| `destination` | string | no | `"Costa Rica"` | Country name to keep only notices affecting that destination, for example Costa Rica. Leave empty for all destinations. |

**Input schema**

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "destination": {
      "type": "string",
      "default": "",
      "description": "Country name to keep only notices affecting that destination, for example Costa Rica. Leave empty for all destinations.",
      "examples": [
        "Costa Rica",
        "Yemen",
        "Narnia"
      ]
    }
  },
  "additionalProperties": false,
  "examples": [
    {
      "destination": "Costa Rica"
    },
    {},
    {
      "destination": "Yemen"
    }
  ]
}
```

**Output**

| Field | Type | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `notices` | array |  | Current travel health notices, sorted by date posted from newest to oldest. |
| `notices[].level` | integer | `1` | CDC travel health notice level, from 1 to 4. |
| `notices[].date_posted` | string | `"2026-09-18"` | Date shown on the current notice listing. |
| `notices[].destination` | string | `"Costa Rica"` | Destination or set of destinations named by the notice. |
| `notices[].notice_link` | string | `"https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/hepatitis-a-costa-rica"` | Link to the notice page. |
| `notices[].level_meaning` | string | `"practice usual precautions"` | Recommended precaution associated with the notice level. |
| `notices[].disease_or_reason` | string | `"Hepatitis A"` | Disease or other reason for the notice. |
| `notices[].what_travelers_should_do` | string | `"Ensure that you are vaccinated against hepatitis A."` | Short action for travelers based on the notice. |

**Example input**

```json
{
  "destination": "Costa Rica"
}
```

**Example output**

```json
{
  "notices": [
    {
      "level": 1,
      "date_posted": "2026-09-18",
      "destination": "Costa Rica",
      "notice_link": "https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/hepatitis-a-costa-rica",
      "level_meaning": "practice usual precautions",
      "disease_or_reason": "Hepatitis A",
      "what_travelers_should_do": "Ensure that you are vaccinated against hepatitis A."
    },
    {
      "level": 1,
      "date_posted": "2026-09-03",
      "destination": "Global",
      "notice_link": "https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level1/dengue-global",
      "level_meaning": "practice usual precautions",
      "disease_or_reason": "Dengue",
      "what_travelers_should_do": "Travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites."
    },
    {
      "level": 2,
      "date_posted": "2026-07-30",
      "destination": "Costa Rica",
      "notice_link": "https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/level2/chikungunya-costa-rica",
      "level_meaning": "practice enhanced precautions",
      "disease_or_reason": "Chikungunya",
      "what_travelers_should_do": "You can protect yourself by preventing mosquito bites."
    }
  ]
}
```

## Quick start

Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with a Fous API key. To create one, open Developers at the bottom of Fous Studio, turn on Developer mode, then go to API keys (https://app.fous.com/keys). Change the values in `input` to run the same tool on new data.

```bash
curl 'https://api.fous.com/v1/query' \
  --fail-with-body --silent --show-error --max-time 180 \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  --data-raw '{
  "api": "@cdc",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_disease_facts",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "disease": "Lyme disease"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}'
```

```python
# Save as fous.py and run with python3 fous.py. No packages needed.
import json
import urllib.error
import urllib.request

api_key = "YOUR_API_KEY"

body = json.loads("{\n  \"api\": \"@cdc\",\n  \"visibility\": \"public\",\n  \"operation\": \"get_disease_facts\",\n  \"version\": 1,\n  \"input\": {\n    \"disease\": \"Lyme disease\"\n  },\n  \"response\": {\n    \"format\": \"json\"\n  }\n}")
request = urllib.request.Request(
    "https://api.fous.com/v1/query",
    data=json.dumps(body).encode("utf-8"),
    headers={
        "Authorization": f"Bearer {api_key}",
        "Content-Type": "application/json",
    },
    method="POST",
)
try:
    with urllib.request.urlopen(request, timeout=180) as response:
        result = json.load(response)
except urllib.error.HTTPError as error:
    raise RuntimeError(f"HTTP {error.code}: {error.read().decode('utf-8', errors='replace')}") from error
if result.get("success") is False:
    raise RuntimeError(result.get("error", {}).get("message", "Request failed"))
print(json.dumps(result["data"]["output"], indent=2))
```

```typescript
// Save as fous.mts and run with npx tsx fous.mts.
const apiKey = "YOUR_API_KEY";

const response = await fetch("https://api.fous.com/v1/query", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: {
    "Authorization": `Bearer ${apiKey}`,
    "Content-Type": "application/json",
  },
  signal: AbortSignal.timeout(180_000),
  body: JSON.stringify({
  "api": "@cdc",
  "visibility": "public",
  "operation": "get_disease_facts",
  "version": 1,
  "input": {
    "disease": "Lyme disease"
  },
  "response": {
    "format": "json"
  }
}),
});
type ApiResult = { success: boolean; data?: { output: unknown }; error?: { message: string } };
const result: ApiResult = await response.json();
if (!response.ok || result.success === false) {
  throw new Error(result.error?.message ?? `HTTP ${response.status}`);
}
if (!result.data) throw new Error("Missing API response data");
console.log(result.data.output);
```

## Use from an AI assistant

Connect this tool to Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and any MCP client as its own MCP server. Each method is a typed tool whose arguments are the method’s input.

- Server URL: `https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/cdc`
- Authorization: `Authorization: Bearer <Fous API key>`

**Tools**

- `get_disease_facts`: Get disease facts. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `get_travel_vaccines`: Get travel vaccines. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `get_vaccine_schedule`: Get vaccine schedule. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `list_travel_health_notices`: List travel health notices. 1 credit per completed call. Failed calls without a completed billing receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted.
- `fous_get_run`: the result of a run that was still going, by its `request_id`. Free.

Claude Code:

```bash
claude mcp add --scope user --transport http fous-cdc https://api.fous.com/mcp/tools/cdc --header "Authorization: Bearer ${FOUS_API_KEY:?Set FOUS_API_KEY to your Fous API key}"
```

To give the assistant every tool, connect `https://api.fous.com/mcp`: it finds one with `fous_search_tools` and runs it with `fous_run_tool`. Setup for other clients: https://fous.com/llms-full.txt.

## Use cases

- Review disease symptoms and prevention information for a health briefing.
- Compare vaccine recommendations across age groups.
- Track travel health notices affecting a destination.
- Prepare destination-specific traveler vaccine and malaria guidance.

## FAQ

### Can I run it with my own inputs?

Yes. Change the inputs in Studio and press Run, or send new inputs from your code, or ask a connected AI assistant.

### Can I call this CDC tool as an API?

Yes. Send a POST request to /v1/query with your Fous API key and the inputs, and get JSON back.

### How much does it cost?

Each completed run costs 1 credit. Failed runs without a completed receipt are free; completed work can remain charged if delivery is interrupted. With pay as you go, a credit costs 1¢. Monthly plans cost less per credit.

### Do I need a CDC account?

No. You only need a Fous account.

### How current is the data?

Fous gets the data from cdc.gov when you run it. Some results are reused for up to 24 hours, and results that use your account or key are never reused. It was last verified on Sep 29, 2026.

### What symptoms and prevention steps are listed for a disease?

Get disease facts returns symptoms and prevention information when given a disease name.

### Which vaccines are shown for an age?

Get vaccine schedule returns vaccines, timing, and dose guidance when given an age or age group.

### What travel health notices affect a destination?

List travel health notices returns notices for all destinations or filters them by a country name.

## Related

- [World Health Organization API](https://fous.com/tools/world-health-organization.md): The World Health Organization provides public health information, latest outbreak reports, country health statistics with up to 10 years of history when available, and topic fact sheets.
- [Mayo Clinic API](https://fous.com/tools/mayo-clinic.md): Mayo Clinic provides health information from public condition pages, including condition overviews and, where available, diagnosis, treatment, home care, alternative medicine, and appointment preparation.
- [US State Department API](https://fous.com/tools/us-state-department.md): US State Department provides current travel advisories, entry rules, embassy and consulate contacts, and published monthly visa bulletin dates; guidance may be incomplete; consular agencies are excluded.
- [WebMD API](https://fous.com/tools/webmd.md): Plain-language health condition and symptom guides from WebMD.
- [GOV.UK API](https://fous.com/tools/gov-uk.md): GOV.UK provides summarized current travel advice with linked details, published regional holidays (none for unpublished years), and possible matches on the current UK Sanctions List.
- [NHS API](https://fous.com/tools/nhs.md): NHS provides condition and medicine guidance, with condition dates reflecting the latest pages used, and nearby England service listings ordered by distance; availability details may be missing.
- [ClinicalTrials.gov API](https://fous.com/tools/clinicaltrials-gov.md): ClinicalTrials.gov helps users find studies and view public trial records, including sponsor-run or funded studies; site distances are approximate, and contacts, eligibility, or exact dates may be missing.
- [MedlinePlus API](https://fous.com/tools/medlineplus.md): MedlinePlus provides health information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine, including condition and symptom overviews and explanations of tests with matching pages.
- [All Health tools](https://fous.com/tools/category/health)
