An Atlanta-based scientific advisor at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, whose expertise includes bioterrorism preparedness, disease surveillance, epidemiology and outbreak investigations - and who is also an acclaimed romance novelist - is headed to Africa to join the fight against the Ebola virus.
"I am leaving this afternoon for Sierra Leone to fight the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, and will be there working on health communications for the next six weeks or so," Jennifer McQuiston wrote in a publicly accessible Facebook post this morning. "I know... it's scary. I would be stupid not to be scared. But rest assured, I won't be taking care of patients with Ebola, and I plan to not touch anyone. Like, for the next six weeks. Luckily, I will taking along a few good books."
Her message has been shared about three dozen times on Facebook and was included on a writers' message board. Her personal website notes that she is a "New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Victoria-era historical romance, including What Happens in Scotland , Summer is for Lovers , and Moonlight on My Mind . Her next book is Diary of an Accidental Wallflower."
Meanwhile, her bio on the CDC web site notes that "as a disease detective and veterinarian, Dr. Jennifer McQuiston specializes in diseases that can be transmitted from animals or insects to people; she is constantly vigilant to the potential for an outbreak."
As her friends and colleagues salute her bravery, McQuiston is striking a purposeful, hopeful note.
"I truly believe that if we don't do what we can to control the situation over there, America remains at risk for more importations of the virus," she wrote. "I know not everyone will think it is a good idea, but I am not just responding out of a humanitarian need. I just feel like I need to do it to help keep America and my family safe. Anyway, hug your family tight today! I know I will."
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