The Ebola virus, now confirmed in at least two patients in the United States, is rapidly becoming the main discussion topic in homes and workplaces around the nation. Government and health officials are urging citizens to remain calm, offering assurance that everything is being done to prevent the spread of the disease.

Wayne State University has experts who are prepared to talk about Ebola from various perspectives ranging from the CDC response, medical, bioethics, legal, psychological and economics.

Matthew Seeger, dean of the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts and a professor of communication. Seeger's research interests include crisis and risk communication, crisis response and agency coordination, and health communication. He has worked closely with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on communication and anthrax attack and on pandemic influenza preparedness. Currently, Seeger is working with the CDC about the Ebola virus situation. He can provide background and insight on the CDC's crisis communication efforts.

Keith Kaye, M.D., professor of internal medicine and chief of infectious diseases, is prepared to talk about what can or may be expected as we continue to deal with prevention and treatment of the Ebola virus. How are doctors and hospitals handling this challenge? Are hospitals and medical professionals, particularly in Michigan, equipped to deal with it?

Lance Gable, an internationally known expert on bioethics and public health law, is available to discuss ethical and legal questions about preventing the spread of Ebola. How does the law deal with quarantine and isolation? If a medication to help ease symptoms becomes scarce, how do public health officials decide who gets it? Can the government legally limit who travels to and from West Africa, the hotbed of the Ebola virus?

Jon Hinrichs, associate professor of psychology (clinical), can discuss the psychological factors involved as people become more concerned about the two Ebola virus cases reported in the U.S. How does this emotional stress affect the family? How should parents respond to questions from their children about the Ebola virus?

Shooshan Danagoulian, assistant professor of health economics, is prepared to talk about the economic repercussions of the Ebola virus.  What industries are likely to be most affected by the threat of the virus?  How will GDP growth be affected by the virus?  How will demand for medical and supply of medical services be affected by the virus? 

To reach an expert, contact Shawn Wright 313-577-4562, or Tom Reynolds 313-577-8093.