Wellcome Trust PhD candidate publishes first book on outbreak prepardeness and response

'The Outbreak Atlas' written by Mackenize S. Moore, a student of the Hosts, Pathogens and Global Health PhD Programme, and Dr Rebecca Katz, Director of the Centre for Global Health, Science and Security at Georgetown University lifts the curtain on the rationale and interconnectedness of outbreak responses across different fields and at various levels.

Bringing global health to the public eye

Mackenzie S. Moore is a first year PhD candidate on the Wellcome Trust funded Hosts, Pathogens and Global Health programme which is managed by Edinburgh Infectious Diseases at the University of Edinburgh. Prior to that, Mackenzie received an MSc in Global Health, specializing in Disease Control and Prevention, from Georgetown University, and a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley.

Mackenzie has worked as an epidemiologist and global health security specialist at a number of international organizations including the Global Fund, IOM, USAID, and World Bank.

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Dr Rebecca Katz and Mackenzie S. Moore, co-authors of The Outbreak Atlas
Dr Rebecca Katz and Mackenzie S. Moore, co-authors of The Outbreak Atlas

Outbreaks need better understanding

The book, aimed specifically at the general public, provides a comprehensive account of outbreak responses which has been the subject of public interest since the global pandemic in 2020.

Public health professionals are calling on citizen scientists’ participation as outbreaks are increasingly occurring in complex environments, expanding the number of people and types of activities required to control the spread of disease. However, there is no comprehensive source mapping this complexity and detailing needed actions tailored to the public.

Our hope is that this book helps build public literacy in outbreak response and is a resource to interested readers looking to better understand all of the decisions that are made in response to an emerging infectious disease

Dr Rebecca Katz

Co-author and Director of the Center for Global Health Science and Security, Georgetown University

An overview of outbreak activites

This book provides an overview of outbreak activities alongside compelling case studies and visuals to guide readers through the complexity involved in outbreak preparedness, response, and recovery. It lifts the curtain on the rationale and interconnectedness of outbreak responses across different fields and at various levels, presenting accessible information that ensures a shared understanding of the essential activities to control an outbreak.

In Outbreak Atlas we ground some of the measures that go on often 'behind-the-scenes' to prepare for, respond to, and recover from an outbreak in more than 150 real world examples. By providing accounts of outbreak activities in action and the rationale behind public health efforts we hope this book can be a resource for citizen scientists that empowers them to make informed decisions that protect themselves, their friends, and their families

Mackenzie S. Moore

Co-author and HPGH PhD candidate

Book launch at Blackwells

Mackenzie will be hosting an event to launch 'The Outbreak Atlas' in Blackwells, Edinburgh on April 25th from 7 - 8pm. All are welcome to join, and you can register for tickets using the link below.

Relevant links

Book website

Registration for book launch

Hosts, Pathogens and Global Health site

Rebecca Katz