Friday Conference: Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center (RESPCT)

Researchers with the Institute have been working with emerging pathogens for many years, in West Africa, with Lassa Fever, and Ebola, in Liberia. In 2022, this expertise led to UNC Hospitals becoming a designated treatment center for patients with highly infectious diseases. Should a civilian or a member of the military arrive at RDU Airport, or Fort Bragg, with a suspected pathogen, they would be transported to UNC Health and admitted to a special emerging pathogens treatment unit. UNC and Emory University are the only two Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers in the Southeast. Led by Dr. Billy Fischer and Dr. David Wohl, members of the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, grants to establish the center came from the realization that infectious diseases like COVID-19, Ebola, and Pox will likely pop up more frequently due to climate change. The two will talk about what they’ve been doing to train and educate staff, to certify the center under the guidance of the U.S. Assistant Secretary for Preparedness.