In 1973, The National surveillance of Reye syndrome began in 1973 when the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) documented the first nationwide outbreak of Reye syndrome. Reye syndrome is a rare and potentially fatal pediatric illness defined as acute noninflammatory encephalopathy with fatty liver failure.

Australian pathologist R.D.K. Reye first described this syndrome in 1963. National surveillance led to strict warnings regarding aspirin use in children. Widespread warnings again the use of aspirin in children were issued in the U.S. in 1980. A sharp decline in the number of reported cases of Reye syndrome followed this issuance. Similar patterns of incidence were observed in the United Kingdom.