What’s going on with Ebola and hantavirus?

About this episode

The episode discusses the current state of Ebola and hantavirus outbreaks, the erosion of trust in public health, and America's preparedness for future health crises.

Trust in public health institutions has fractured since the covid-19 pandemic began, even as the threat of new outbreaks remains. Ebola is spreading in parts of Central Africa. Hantavirus has left some cruise ship passengers under quarantine. Neither is a repeat of covid-19 — and public health officials say the risk to most Americans remains low — but even distant outbreaks now provoke fear, skepticism and debate. Host Megan McArdle talks with physician and Washington Post contributing columnist Leana S. Wen about what we learned from covid-19, why trust in public health infrastructure has become so fragile and whether America is better prepared for the next serious outbreak — or simply more exhausted and distrustful. Subscribe to The Washington Post here .

People in this episode

Host: Megan McArdle

Guest: Leana S. Wen

Topics covered

• public health
• Ebola
• hantavirus
• trust
• pandemic
• preparedness

Keywords

• Ebola
• hantavirus
• public health
• trust
• pandemic
• outbreaks
• preparedness

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Washington Post

Places: Central Africa

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