Welcome to SPECTRE!

We are SPECTRE—the Special Pathogens Excellence in Clinical Treatment, Readiness, and Education Program—housed within the Division of Infectious Diseases at UTMB. Our mission is to strengthen local and regional readiness to respond to high-consequence infectious diseases, ensuring self-sufficiency and operational resilience.

SPECTRE supports the ongoing preparedness of UTMB’s Biocontainment Care Unit (BCU) by developing targeted training and education initiatives grounded in practical, frontline care. We focus on equipping healthcare professionals, across all of Region 6, with the skills, tools, and confidence needed to act swiftly and safely during special pathogen events.

We also foster collaboration with regional healthcare partners and public health entities, promoting a unified, state-driven response framework that ensures coordination without unnecessary duplication of federal efforts. In addition, we contribute to the infrastructure needed for clinically grounded research, ensuring that emerging knowledge translates directly into improved patient care and safety protocols.

Susan McLellan, MD, MPH

Director, SPECTRE
Medical Director, Biocontainment Care Unit

Email: sumclell@utmb.edu

Faculty Bio

Who is SPECTRE

SPECTRE strengthens healthcare preparedness through training, education, research, and regional coordination. By equipping healthcare professionals with specialized skills, advancing infectious disease research, and leading regional preparedness efforts, SPECTRE enhances the ability to manage high-consequence infectious diseases. This video highlights SPECTRE’s mission and its role in providing healthcare professionals with the knowledge and resources needed to respond effectively. Through evidence-based education, research, and strategic partnerships, SPECTRE helps build stronger response capabilities at institutional, regional, and national levels.

What we do

Clinical Care

Training & Education

Regional Coordination

Research Infrastructure

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News & Events

Latest News

Togo Reports Mpox Outbreak as Activity Escalates in West Africa

June 2, 2025 • 8:00 a.m.

Togo has reported its first mpox outbreak, with cases linked to the fast-spreading clade 2 virus, also driving a surge across West Africa—especially in Sierra Leone, where overwhelmed healthcare systems are struggling to manage the rising caseload. The Africa CDC is monitoring regional spread and supporting efforts to understand evolving transmission patterns.

Key points:

Sierra Leone reported 658 new cases last week, accounting for 61% of Africa’s total, with hospitals exceeding capacity.
Clade 2 virus has been identified in Togo, Ghana, and Sierra Leone, with transmission concentrated among young adults in urban areas.

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