World Affairs Council of Philadelphia Presents - Ebola: Truth and Myth

Fear of contagious diseases is not a new phenomenon; in the past, panic erupted globally when the world learned of fast-spreading diseases. But enormous strides have been made against diseases that originated in the Third World – HIV Aids and malaria, for instance – that are now relatively under control with the introduction of antiretroviral cocktails and mosquito nets. How is the Ebola virus different from other infectious diseases, and does this outbreak pose an imminent threat to the U.S. and other countries? Are our fears warranted and, if so, how are we prepared to respond?

Dr. Edward Jasper, of the Emergency Medical Department at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital heads the Jefferson Bioterrorism and Disaster Preparedness Center, which provides continuing education regarding disaster preparedness training and exercises. Dr. Jasper will join us to discuss the myths and realities of Ebola and other communicable diseases.