ANN ARBOR—University of Michigan School of Public Health experts are available to discuss the issues raised in the new movie “Contagion,” such as disease spread, transmission, containment and preparedness.

They include:

Allison Aiello, SPH professor of epidemiology, can discuss pandemics, flu, disease spread and transmission and containment. Aiello is a nationally recognized infectious disease expert and was recently a guest panelist on the “Dr. Oz” show, in an episode dedicated to lethal disease transmission. Aiello’s show is scheduled to appear at 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, on ABC Detroit, WXYZ Channel 7. For a show description and trailer: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/friday-dr-oz-show Aiello may be reached at (734) 615-9213, or [email protected]

Betsy Foxman, SPH professor of epidemiology, can discuss detecting disease transmission, interventions and analyzing the genetics of the organism. Foxman is the director of the Center for Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases (MAC-EPID). She may be reached at [email protected] or (734) 764-5487 (office), or (734) 764 5462 (assistant).

Andrew Maynard, SPH professor and director of the U-M Risk Science Center, can speak in broad terms about the importance of developing realistic scenarios that explore potentially catastrophic risks, and the important role fiction movies in particular play in informing and preparing people. Maynard also belongs to the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Councils, which study and advise on emerging global risks and opportunities across multiple sectors. He can be reached at (734) 647-6856; [email protected].

Eden Wells, SPH professor of epidemiology, has years of experience in disaster and outbreak preparedness. She can discuss preparedness planning for public health incidents and outbreaks, and bioterrorism and preparedness for pandemic flu. Wells organized the Michigan Pandemic Influenza Coordinating Committee, and assisted the development of Michigan’s State Pandemic Influenza Operational Plan. She can be reached at (734)-647-5306, or [email protected]

The University of Michigan School of Public Health has been promoting health and preventing disease since 1941, and is ranked among the top five public health schools in the nation. Whether making new discoveries in the lab or researching and educating in the field, our faculty, students, and alumni are deployed around the globe to promote and protect our health. http://www.sph.umich.edu/