HEALTH EMERGENCY Declared after Trump DITCHES Agency

Added: 2026-06-04

[00:00:02]The latest Ebola outbreak is outpacing the response, and the International Rescue Committee now predicts it could become the deadliest outbreak of Ebola on record.

[00:00:13]>> Before we get into today's conversation, I need you to stop what you're doing because what I'm about to tell you is not distant. It is not abstract. It is not an African problem. There is a global public health emergency declared by the World Health Organization and it is already knocking on America's front door. I'm Dr. Iday Brown >> and I'm Dr. Sonia Sloan >> and we are AYA black and brown women disruptors in healthcare and beyond. So what's happening in the world? Ebola and what do we do here in the United States?

[00:00:49]What are we what are we actually doing?

[00:00:51]Remember, the United States is the same country who walked away from the World Health Organization a year ago. And we are also currently the organization known as the CDC that's supposed to be protecting us is falling apart. Let's roll this clip. There's no vaccine, no treatment. Behind it all is a global health funding architecture at its lowest level since 2009 with the largest single donor, the US, having walked away. A recent shift in US health policy now has the US keeping suspected American cases abroad, sending some to quarantine facilities in Europe, others to Kenya. Why can't they be treated back home? So, Dr. Brown, on May 15th this year, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the DRC, officially declared its 17th Ebola outbreak. So, that's number 17.

[00:01:43]And so, we want to talk about that. The first known suspected case was a health care worker in Atouri Providence whose symptoms were fever, hemorrhaging, vomiting, intense malayise which is basically sort of like fatigue. That all appeared on April 24th. The worker later died in a medical center in Luna. Think about that. A healthcare worker, one of the people on the front lines protecting their community. So on May 16th, 2026, the WHO declared this outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, a PH EIC, the highest formal alert in the global health system. As of May 27th, there are more than,200 suspected and confirmed cases and at least 264 deaths reported.

[00:02:32]And researchers believe the true number of infections could considerably exceed those reported figures. The spread has gone beyond borders. The outbreak has now been confirmed in the DRC's Ituri, Nord Kivu, and Sudkivu provinces. And five cases related to the DRC outbreak have been reported in Uganda's capital, Kala.

[00:02:55]So, we want to make sure our listeners understand that it is not the same Ebola we've seen before. What is the bone debogio virus and why does it matter that it's this strain? Dr. Sloan, >> it's a rare strain of Ebola and it's very alarming. The truth here is that there's no licensed vaccine. Um, and there's no specific treatment for it.

[00:03:20]And that's what's scary. The existing Ebola vaccines were all for a different type of species. Sort of like, you know, how we had all these different types of COVIDs. Um the scientists are now urgently you know assessing whether they can play any type of role at all in this. The two main lines of defense right now against the deadly virus are vaccines a monoconal uh antibbody treatment and currently there's no approved treatment for this virus the what we're calling a BBD. So the case uh fatality rates right now are almost at 30 to 50% unlike those in Ebola zire the strain with an approved vaccine there is no licensed vaccines right now no specific therapeutic against this v virus that we know so through early supportive care remains the only life-saving thing that we can do so sort of scary right there have been only two prior um BVD outbreaks one in Uganda in 27 2007 and then also in 2008 and then there was also one in the DRC in 2012.

[00:04:24]So the previous Ebola crisis drove major scientific advances right with vaccines and treatments developed for the Zire strain but not this one. So no approved options exist so far Dr. Brown.

[00:04:38]>> So you know this is why the World Health Organization is calling it unprecedented in its current scale. So last week the WHO convened leaders of partner organizations under the interim medical countermeasures network to review the pipeline. WHO has recommended prioritizing two monoconal antibodies for clinical trials and is also evaluating the antiviral severe is postexposure prophylaxis for high risk contacts. So science is moving but we aren't there yet. Let's just run that next clip. We turn now to the Democratic Republic of Congo in efforts to contain the Ebola outbreak there. In the last few days, three treatment centers have been attacked. This includes two that were set on fire. The first was on Thursday. We talked to you about it then after family members were banned from retrieving the body of a man who had died from Ebola. M >> so you know the attack on several Ebola facilities is for various reasons but the most important one is the spread of this virus and the death toll in its wake. So Dr. Sloan people hear this term BSL4 in the news and they don't always understand what it means. Can you break that down for us further?

[00:05:53]>> I believe we really are just now starting to hear about it. Right. So BSL stands for biosafety level and there's four different tiers and this uh chart here sort of explains the basic ones right so one two and three you guys have heard about some of these but when so we get to the level four that's the highest level of contaminant employees wear positive pressure encapsulating suits breathe filtered air as they work a combination of rigorous training meticulous procedures security measures carefully designated structures and elaborate redundant operating systems in place to protect the laboratory workers uh and and other people in the facility.

[00:06:32]Right? So, this is serious.

[00:06:35]>> You know, it's problematic, right?

[00:06:37]Because heat, pressure, and chemical systems housed in the labs process and decontaminate all solid and liquid wastes, and air passes through high efficiency particulate filters before leaving the facility. Ebola, all strains of Ebola, including Bundy Boyo, is a BSL4 pathogen. So that means the only labs in the world that can handle this virus live behind those suda protocols and there are currently 13 operational or planned BSL4 facilities within the United States and two of them are right in Dr. Sloan's, Texas.

[00:07:17]>> Wow. You know, in fact, I don't even think I knew this. I went to medical school at one. The Galveastston National Laboratory, which is at the medical school, UTMB, University of Texas Medical Branch, is one of those 13 to 15 BSL 4 facilities in the United States.

[00:07:32]And that's the largest located on the academic campus in the world. What? So, Texas Biamemed Research Institute is there's another one in San Antonio in Texas that also houses the nation's only privatelyowned I wonder why they need to have a privately owned BSL4 maximum containment laboratory where scientists are advancing vaccines supposedly against these Ebola virus. So, yeah, this work is happening right here in the state of Texas and um uh I guess I should be a little bit more concerned.

[00:08:05]Dr. room.

[00:08:07]>> You know, let's bring it even closer to home >> because this is not just happening in the DRC, right? This is also happening at airports in our country, including one in Houston, Texas. Please roll the clip.

[00:08:22]>> We now turn our attention to Bush Airport, which became one of several airports across the country to screen US passengers for Ebola overnight. This comes after the deadly outbreak in central Africa and the travel ban for non US citizens at the center of the outbreak. The Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan.

[00:08:40]>> This is a sigh moment, Dr. Brown. So Erica is actually one of my friend reporters here in Houston. And yeah, that's right. right here in in Houston, my hometown, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, is one of the three United States designated to screen airline passengers traveling from Africa countries affected by the Ebola outbreak. So, this comes you guys 2 weeks before FIFA and the DRC is their soccer team is going to be playing here in Houston. What you guys, this is supposed to be the largest anticipated gathering Houston has ever seen and we've done Super Bowls, right? So Washington Dallas International Airport is the other and Hartsville Jackson uh Atlanta airport is also one which is one of the busiest airports in the country and all of them are going to be screening the passengers from DRC the South Sudan and Uganda. The Department of Homeland Security posted a federal register right to notice outlining the redirection of affected travelers to Washington Dallas beginning that was May 20th just like a week ago or so for enhanced public health screenings. So what does that include? So, the travelers will um those that are coming from the DRC, Uganda, and South U Sudan will in the past 21 days if they've been in flight and they're scheduled to travel going to be contacted and they're going to have to rebook to a different designated airport. But if they're coming through now in the past 2 to 3 weeks, they're going to be asked to fill out a questionnaire, a brief questionnaire about their travel history, their symptoms, and their contact information according to the CDC. And after completing that form, the CDC people will basically screen the travelers for what signs of fever and chills and whatever else. Sort of like what they did with CO, right? But those without symptoms can continue their to their destination in the United States B, but they're supposed to monitor their health, right? But then there's some travelers that may have symptoms are going to be further evaluated by the CDC public health officers and the CDC will coordinate the state and local health agencies to ensure appropriate care if needed. The same CDC that's broken right now, Dr. Brown.

[00:10:48]>> Right. The same CDC that's lost a large percentage of its workforce. Right. So the CDC has invoked Title 42 to restrict entry for non-citizens who visited one of the countries within the previous 21 days along with screening and monitoring of all people arriving from these countries. An American who tested positive for Ebola on May 17th is amongst those being moved for care outside the DRC with the CDC working with other US governmental agencies and international partners on those efforts.

[00:11:20]So to date, no suspected, probable, or confirmed cases of Ebola have been reported in the United States. And the risk of Ebola domestically is considered very low. But speaking as a physician, low risk does not mean no risk.

[00:11:37]>> Our communities, right, our communities, the ones in Houston, Atlanta, and the DC metro area, we are in cities where these screening protocols are active. So, we need to be informed, not afraid, not scared, not some, you know, crazy reaction. We need to be informed, right, Dr. Sloan?

[00:11:56]>> I totally agree.

[00:11:57]>> So, when an Ebola outbreak erupts and the media begins talking about quote travelers from Africa, end quote, we need to be precise and we need to be vigilant because the framing historically leads to stigma, right? Not safety. It leads to fear. in 2014 during the West African outbreak that there was documented fear, discrimination, and racial targeting of African immigrants and black Americans across the country.

[00:12:21]So, we do not need to repeat that chapter. Our job as black and brown women disruptors is to lead with science and facts to be the trusted voices in our communities and in our families.

[00:12:33]Because when our friend or family member shares a Facebook that says this was manufactured or when your neighbor asks if black people are more susceptible, we all you we need to be prepared to answer with facts, with grace and with authority. So practically practically speaking, you know what do you need to know?

[00:12:58]What do they do? And so here's our action list. Number one, if you or someone you know has traveled to the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan in the last 21 days and is experiencing fever, severe bodyaches, vomiting, or any bleeding, do not wait. Do not go to a walk-in clinic. Call your health care provider first. Call the CDC hotline.

[00:13:21]Alert them before you arrive anywhere.

[00:13:25]Right? This is a standard protocol for any hemorrhage fever exposure.

[00:13:29]>> Right? And then number two, Ebola is a disease that spreads through direct contact of bodily fluids. So a person becomes infected if if they have a broken skin or mucous membranes like their eyes, nose or mouth comes in contact with an infected person's blood, urine, saliva, or other bodily fluids that are contaminated, you know, objects such as surgical instruments. It's not airborne virus like CO. Guys, you cannot get it from being on the same flight as someone just sharing a building space or room, right? Understanding the tram transmission is very key to fighting the misinformation, you guys. And then number three, trust the BSL force system. And we have two of those here in Texas. Yeah. And there's approximately 13 others around the United States. The scientists in those facilities, many of them are women of color working around the clock on this. And so your government through the CDC and the NIAD engaged internationally but not with the World Health Organization. I digress.

[00:14:31]This is not the whole story, right? But it's a piece of the truth we need right now. And lastly, four, watch for racial profiling about screening checkpoints and is coming. I promise you. If you witness or experience discriminatory treatment related to the Ebola screening, document it and report it.

[00:14:49]The ACLU and local civil rights organizations have different resources for you. So right now to dignity does not expire in the public health emergency.

[00:15:03]>> So you know we open today by saying that this is urgent and it is but urgency does not mean panic. It means presence.

[00:15:12]It means awareness. It means that we show up informed, equipped and unafraid.

[00:15:18]So, black and brown women have always been the backbone of public health in this country. And we've been the community health workers, the home nurses, the ones who make sure grandma took her medication and that our cousin down the street got vaccinated. Right?

[00:15:33]So, that role does not diminish. It actually expands when a global emergency arrives. So, the Bundy Boyo Ebola outbreak is a phic.

[00:15:45]It has no approved vaccine. It has no approved treatment. And it is in three provinces of the DRC. It has crossed into Uganda and US airports in Virginia, Georgia, and in Dr. Sloan's home city of Houston. Uh right, those are they're actively screening these travelers. So science is at a BSL4. Red, red, red, >> red means stop. So um that means you need to stay informed. That means share accurate information. Trust the science you guys because we're AA. We're contributors to Mightest Touch Network and proud members of the Midas Mighty and we want you guys to repost this, share it, subscribe, like, and follow for more updates. Have a great week.

[00:16:28]>> Thanks everyone.

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