Source: Infectious disease expert to lead CDC

Dr. Julie Gerberding

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush has selected an infectious disease expert to become the first woman to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CNN has learned.

Dr. Julie Gerberding will be named director of the government public health agency, a senior administration official told CNN.

Gerberding, who has been acting deputy director of the CDC's National Center for Infectious Diseases, replaces Jeffrey Koplan, who left his post earlier this year.

The CDC, based in Atlanta, Georgia, is the United States' lead health agency, foucing on disease prevention and control and on health promotion and education.

Dr. David Fleming has been the CDC's acting director.