Marburg Virus Disease Update

In this episode of Transmission Interrupted, host Jill Morgan is joined by infectious disease expert Dr. Nahid Bhadelia to discuss the current Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak in Rwanda. Recorded on October 17, 2024, this conversation delves into vital aspects including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) by healthcare workers dealing with the outbreak. They discuss experimental treatments, mention Rwanda's use of an experimental vaccine, and emphasize that early detection and supportive care are pivotal in managing Marburg Virus Disease cases. 

Dr. Bhadelia highlights Marburg's similarity to Ebola in terms of transmission and symptoms, while also stressing the importance of improving data collection and vigilance for viral hemorrhagic fevers. Moreover, the episode underlines the critical role of preparedness and education across healthcare systems and touches on global factors leading to increased outbreak frequency.

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Visit Transmission Interrupted on the web at netec.org/podcast.

Guest

Nahid Bhadelia, MD, MALD

Founding Director, Boston University's Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases;

Associate Professor, Infectious Diseases, Boston University School of Medicine;

Global Health Security, Boston University Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies

Dr. Bhadelia is the founding director of BU Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases. She is a board-certified infectious diseases physician and an Associate Professor at the BU School of Medicine. She served as the Senior Policy Advisor for Global COVID-19 Response for the White House COVID-19 Response Team in 2022-2023 and the interim Testing Coordinator for the White House MPOX Response Team.

Host

Jill Morgan, RN

Emory Healthcare, Atlanta, GA

Jill Morgan is a registered nurse and a subject matter expert in personal protective equipment (PPE) for NETEC. For 35 years, Jill has been an emergency department and critical care nurse, and now splits her time between education for NETEC and clinical research, most of it centering around infection prevention and personal protective equipment. She is a member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), ASTM International, and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).

Resources

• Transmission Interrupted Ep. 23: Back to the Basics – Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers and PPE: https://netec.org/transmission-interrupted/back-to-the-basics-viral-hemorrhagic-fevers-and-ppe/
• NETEC Resource Library Marburg Virus Disease Exhibit: https://repository.netecweb.org/exhibits/show/marburg/marburg
• NETEC FAQ: Marburg Virus Disease (MVD): https://repository.netecweb.org/exhibits/show/marburg/item/1890
• SBAR: Marburg Virus Disease (MVD): https://repository.netecweb.org/exhibits/show/marburg/item/1891
• NETEC Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (VHFs) PPE Matrix: https://repository.netecweb.org/exhibits/show/marburg/item/1693
• NETEC Resource Library: https://repository.netecweb.org

About NETEC

A Partnership for Preparedness

The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center’s mission is to set the gold standard for special pathogen preparedness and response across health systems in the U.S. with the goals of driving best practices, closing knowledge gaps, and developing innovative resources.

Our vision is a sustainable infrastructure and culture of readiness for managing suspected and confirmed special pathogen incidents across the United States public health and health care delivery systems.

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