June 9, 2026: Epidemics & Global Response Failures: Is Ebola A Misdiagnosis for Environmental Chemical Toxicity? Speaker: Major Mike Gary, US Army Reserves CBRN Officer. This Faith Over Fear program will examine the history of Ebola outbreaks in Africa and explore how environmental contamination, mining operations, industrial pollution, poor sanitation, malnutrition, conflict zones, and weak public health infrastructure can contribute to epidemic conditions. We discuss the real possibility of misdiagnosis of causative agents since there is no heavy metal testing or tests for other chemical toxins. Drawing upon real-world HAZMAT/CBRN response procedures used in military and emergency management operations, we will discuss the importance of proper hazard identification, multiple-source verification, differential diagnosis, and laboratory confirmation before definitive conclusions are reached during a public health emergency. The program will also examine the role of PCR testing, outbreak declaration standards, and how these factors also play into the potential for misdiagnosis by WHO and CDC when responding to suspected infectious disease outbreaks.
