Just back from Sierra Leone, Thomas Ksiazek, Director of Biocontainment at UTMB's Galveston National Laboratory, spoke to a crowded room about his experiences in West Africa on Friday, Oct. 3.

As a former head of the U S Center for Disease Control's Special Pathogens unit, Ksiazek,  is well experienced in dealing with infectious disease epidemics.  As a world-renowned virus expert with 40 years experience, he was requested  by the US Centers for Disease Control to lead a team in Sierra Leone to help control the spread of Ebola.  

Scientists, health care providers, reporters and layman listened carefully as Ksiazek explained the Ebola disease and how it can be prevented, spread and contained.  After his presentation, Ksiazek took questions from the audience and reporters.

News reports on the presentation appeared on Houston's KTRK-TV, KPRC-TV and KUHF-FM.  

Ksiazek has been named as a member of Governor Rick Perry's newly formed Texas Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response.
 

Ksiazek speaks with reporters after his presentation