Ebola: People + Public Health + Political Will
What was it like at ground zero of the worst outbreak of Ebola in history? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) David J. Sencer Museum will be the first U.S. museum to offer an overview of the devastating viral outbreak that killed more than 11,000 people in West Africa. This new exhibition, titled EBOLA: People + Public Health + Political Will, is open now until May 25, 2018, at CDC headquarters in Atlanta.
Introduced by a timeline of events, the exhibition explores the early days of the outbreak, the heroic work of West African and international health workers, contact tracing, safe burial procedures, how America responded when Ebola reached the United States, and issues facing Ebola survivors, including stigma.
Emotional photographs by some of the world's leading photojournalists vividly illustrate the severity of the outbreak and the difficult work undertaken by public health workers to bring it under control. Artifacts on display include crosses made to mark the graves of victims, shipping canisters still dusted with West African clay, and helmets worn by motorcycle drivers who delivered samples through the crowded streets.
The epidemic represented a challenge for more than West Africa alone. The world needed to respond, and it did—including donors who supported CDC’s response through the CDC Foundation. CDC Foundation funding assisted CDC by providing critical assistance for the response, from equipment to supplies to emergency operations centers to much-needed in-country personnel. This support enabled CDC staff to respond quickly to changing circumstances and needs on the ground in West Africa. Learn more about the CDC Foundation’s efforts.
Admission to the CDC Museum and parking are free, although parking may be limited. Visitors need a valid, U.S. government or state-issued photo ID. Vehicle inspection is required. The museum is open Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with extended hours to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday and is closed on all federal holidays. For more information, visit the CDC museum website.
