Bundibugyo Ebola Diagnostics and Global Outbreak Preparedness

In this interview, Alan L. Landay and Michael M. Lederman speak with Gene Olinger and Thomas Ksiazek about the ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak and the broader challenges of epidemic preparedness, including how delayed recognition, limited field diagnostics, security concerns, misinformation, and strained international coordination affect the spread of an outbreak. They also discuss the importance of rapid diagnostics; strong epidemiology and contact tracing; reliable, high-containment laboratory networks; and sustained investment in vaccines, therapeutics, and broad-spectrum countermeasures, and emphasize the important role of community trust/local engagement, protection of health care workers, and global collaboration in controlling Ebola outbreaks and preparing for future threats.