MILWAUKEE_An outbreak of a respiratory infection caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused a public health emergency in China. While there are no confirmed cases in Southeastern Wisconsin and the risk remains low, the Zilber School of Public Health at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is raising awareness of COVID-19 by hosting a panel discussion, “Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): What We Know and What We Need to Consider.”
The event, part of the Zilber School’s “On Public Health” lecture series, will feature state and local health professionals who will separate fact from fiction about the virus. The event is Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., in room 119 of the school, 1240 N. 10th Street.
Panelists include:
- Alice Yan (moderator), associate professor, Zilber School of Public Health
- Allen Bateman, assistant director, Communicable Diseases, Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene
- Dr. Julie Bonner, campus health officer, UWM Norris Health Center
- Julie Katrichis, director of clinical operations, City of Milwaukee Health Department
- Dr. Sylvia Munoz-Price, enterprise epidemiologist, Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin; and professor of medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, MCW
Panelists will discuss the most recent information on the clinical course, diagnosis and treatment strategies for this infection. They will also provide key measures that hospitals and clinics can use to reduce the risk of transmission. Other topics include drugs and vaccines that under development, outbreak preparedness, combatting misinformation and the political, social and racial equity issues raised by how Chinese and Chinese Americans are treated.
The disease caused by COVID-19 first appeared in the city of Wuhan, China, in mid-January, and has spread to 29 other countries. There have been 35 confirmed cases of the illness in the U.S., including one in Dane County, Wisconsin.
For more information, contact Nicole Schanenn@uwm.edu, 414-217-5857.