Category: global health security
Vietnam: Empowering Communities to Detect Potential Outbreaks Early
Diseases may start in local communities before they spread and become widespread outbreaks. Vietnam is harnessing the power of community members to identify potential outbreaks earlier to shorten response times and avert epidemics. A parent hears rumors from other parents about several children bitten by a rabid dog. A teacher sees an unusually high number Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentPeople. Pathogens. Protection.
Solving challenges to save people The biggest challenges are always the unknowns–the things we can’t predict, which seem to come out of nowhere and command our attention. I was called to Vietnam in 2003 when SARS struck. Of course, we didn’t yet call it SARS. It didn’t have a name then. All I knew was Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentTwo Vaccines for One Polio-free World
Polio was once considered one of the most frightening diseases in the world until a team led by Dr. Jonas Salk developed the first successful polio vaccine. World Polio Day, held every October 24 to celebrate Salk’s birthday, is an opportunity for everyone working to eradicate polio to renew their commitment to creating a polio-free Read More >
Posted on by 6 CommentsBridging the Mind and Heart: Lessons from Guinea on the International Health Regulations
In the field, especially during outbreaks, people are the bridge between policy and action. But in global public health, we often use policy-heavy language that lacks personal connection. We talk about “building capacity.” We talk about “implementing the International Health Regulations.” But what does it all really mean? Sometimes we overlook the association between public Read More >
Posted on by Leave a commentPreparedness Workshops Help At-Risk Countries Prepare for Ebola
A recent news story in Bloomberg Businessweek proclaims “How to Avert an Ebola Nightmare: Lessons from Nigeria’s Victory.” The article outlines the remarkable achievement of Nigeria’s Ministry of Health with partners, including CDC, to contain the spread of Ebola in that country. Now declared Ebola-free by the World Health Organization (WHO), Nigeria stands as a Read More >
Posted on by 2 CommentsCDC Director: Why I don’t support a travel ban to combat Ebola outbreak
This blog was originally posted on Fox News on October 9, 2014. The first case of Ebola diagnosed in the United States has caused some to call on the United States to ban travel for anyone from the countries in West Africa facing the worst of the Ebola epidemic. That response is understandable. Read More >
Posted on by 20 CommentsEbola Requires the World’s United Action
This blog is cross-posted on the White House website. The nations of the world, along with key international organizations, gather at the White House today to advance a Global Health Security Agenda that will help keep the world safe from infectious disease threats. This meeting is a critical opportunity to increase international commitment and, more Read More >
Posted on by 1 CommentWhat it’s REALLY like fighting Ebola in Liberia
This blog was originally posted on the ONE.org on September 11, 2014. During my time in Liberia, I have tried not to provide much detail to my family about the day-to-day work we are doing. I don’t want to cause alarm or propagate fear; conditions in Monrovia can at times be deeply troubling. Read More >
Posted on by 4 CommentsIndonesia Takes a Leadership Position in the Global Health Security Agenda
As the world’s fourth most populated country, Indonesia plays an important strategic role in protecting the global community from infectious disease threats. As one of the early countries to take a leadership role in the Global Health Security (GHS) Agenda, the Government of Indonesia will welcome senior health and agricultural leaders from 36 countries and Read More >
Posted on by 2 CommentsThe High Stakes in Fighting Ebola: Leave One Burning Ember and the Epidemic Could Re-Ignite
This blog was originally posted on the Huffington Post on August 7, 2014. CDC and our partners are currently fighting the biggest and most complex outbreak of Ebola virus disease ever recorded. There are hundreds of cases in West Africa and now a new cluster of cases in Nigeria is very concerning. The Read More >
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