One Health Heroes: Ebola Lessons from the Frontlines

When most people think of Ebola, they picture hazmat suits and frightening headlines. In this episode of One Health Heroes, we are joined again by Dr. Laura Rothfeldt, a veterinarian and public health leader who was deployed to Sierra Leone during the 2014 West Africa Ebola outbreak as part of the CDC's Epidemic Intelligence Service. Dr. Rothfeldt shares powerful firsthand stories from the field, explains how Ebola is transmitted and why many common misconceptions persist, and discusses how One Health collaboration was essential to controlling one of the largest outbreaks in history. The conversation concludes with an update on the current Ebola outbreak, highlighting how advances in vaccines, treatments, surveillance, and global preparedness are changing the response while reminding us that emerging infectious diseases remain a worldwide concern. Key Takeaways Ebola spreads through direct contact, not through the air. The 2014 West Africa outbreak transformed how the world responds to Ebola. One Health collaboration is essential for detecting, containing, and preventing outbreaks. Limited resources, regional conflict, and difficulty tracking people in remote areas are key barriers. New vaccines and treatments offer hope, but rapid detection and community trust remain critical. Resources Mentioned in This Episode CDC Ebola Information & Current Outbreak Updates Arkansas Department of Health CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) JAVMA article: Bentley the Ebola Dog Rooster & Squid by Dr. Jen Cole (children's books) Microbial Mystery Series by Dr. Millicent Eidson  ​American Association of Food Safety and Public Health Veterinarians (AAFSPHV)​ Pet owners and veterinary professionals, sign up for our newsletter here: https://www.yourvetwantsyoutoknow.com/newsletter Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buymeacoffee.com/yourvet Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information.   By doing so, we strive for: 1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners,   2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team,   3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and   4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians.   Connect with Your Vet! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourvetwantsyoutoknow