Ebola Questions Addressed at Information Session Wednesday

With the intense national and local attention surrounding the Ebola virus, many questions have emerged on campus about international travel and how Duke is preparing for the remote possibility of an Ebola patient in its health care facilities.  

During a special information session on Wednesday, Duke’s medical experts will help address those questions, share updated information about the Ebola virus and discuss plans to help ensure the safety of patients, students, faculty, staff and visitors. 

The information session will be held at 4 p.m. in Griffith Theater, located on the lower level of the Bryan Center on West Campus. The event will feature Dr. Cameron Wolfe, of Duke Medicine’s Division of Infectious Diseases; Dr. John Vaughn, director of the Student Health Center; Dr. Carol Epling, director for Employee and Occupational Health and Wellness; and Kyle Cavanaugh, vice president for administration.

During the session, Duke Medicine’s infectious disease experts will share the latest information regarding the virus, including the experience gleaned from caring for patients in West Africa, and the U.S. response to date. 

“There is a lot of information in the public sphere right now, and unfortunately there is some misinformation circulating, too,” Wolfe said. “We want to help sort out facts from fiction, especially in regard to risks and transmission of the virus.”

Speakers will also review the protocols in place across Duke Medicine and both the student and employee health centers to effectively screen patients, as well as the steps being taken to mitigate potential risks to health care teams, patients and visitors should an Ebola patient require care.

Duke officials will also discuss travel guidelines and policies, and precautions being taken to limit potential exposure to the virus. 

The event is open to all students, faculty, staff and other members of the Duke community.