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Interviews with news makers and discussion of topics important to Southwest Michigan. Subscribe to the podcast through Apple itunes and Google. Segments of interview are heard in WestSouthwest Brief during Morning Edition and All Things Considered

WSW: What Did We Learn From the Ebola Outbreak?

Nati Hamik, The Associated Press

A symposium Friday and Saturday at Kalamazoo College examines the reaction and lessons learned from the recent Ebola outbreak.

The director of K-College's Africana Studies program Joseph Bangura is organizingthe symposium, being held Friday and Saturday at Kalamazoo College. Research scientist Alhaji N'Jai will give the keynote address. 

N'Jai told WMUK's Gordon Evans that the spread of Ebola shows that the world is very interconnected and a contagious disease like Ebola can move around the world quickly. He says factors such as poverty and infrastructure should be considered in how to prevent the spread of the disease. 

Bangura says it's understandable that people were afraid when Ebola was found in the United States. But he says it's important for people to learn more about the disease. Bangura says self-preservation is a very natural reaction, but he says it may not be enough to stop the spread of the disease. 

ebola012715-web.mp3
Interview with Joseph Bangura and Alhaji N'Jai - web version

Both men say education is the key to an effective response to future epidemics. Bangura says public education can help people learn how to avoid contracting the disease. N'Jai says a strong public health system can contain an outbreak and limit its spread. 

Gordon Evans became WMUK's Content Director in 2019 after more than 20 years as an anchor, host and reporter. A 1990 graduate of Michigan State, he began work at WMUK in 1996.
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