Institute of Medicine Plans Ebola Research Workshop
Bellevue Hospital nurse Belkys Fortune, left, and Teressa Celia, Associate Director of Infection Prevention and Control, pose in protective suits in the Emergency Room, during a demonstration of procedures for possible Ebola patients. Richard Drew/AP
By
Bob Brewin
Focus on public health, risks and countermeasures.
The Institute of Medicine said it will hold a one-day workshop Nov. 3 to examine the areas of biomedical and public health research that should be conducted to best prepare the United States to safeguard the public as a result of the emergence of Ebola.
IOM said the workshop, requested by the Department of Health and Human Services, will provide a venue for real-time discussions about immediate science needs that will inform HHS, public health officials, providers and the general public with the most up-to-date information about virus transmission, mitigation of health risks and appropriate measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
“Our goal for this workshop is to provide a forum for key experts and decision makers to discuss what research is needed and can be performed now to assist the public health response to the occurrence of Ebola in the United States," IOM President Victor J. Dzau said.
The workshop will start 8:30 a.m. at the National Academy of Sciences building, 2101 Constitution Ave. N.W. in Washington and will be webcast.