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Ebola Information
Please check the Department of Health website regularly for future updates (Other Languages)
Message from the Director of the Department of Health
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF), or simply Ebola, is a disease of humans and other mammals caused by an ebola virus, which first emerged in humans in 1976. The 2014 Ebola epidemic is the largest in history, affecting three countries in West Africa, particularly Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.
The DC Department of Health and its partners are taking precautions to make sure the District of Columbia is well prepared to deal with any potential cases. We are proactively working with community partners as well as hospitals, clinics, laboratories and other health care providers throughout the city. We are also in close collaboration with our federal and international partners including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the White House, Health and Human Services (HHS), Hospital Association, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Trade Groups, among others, to share best practices in order to monitor and contain the disease.
Key factors to keep in mind to better understand Ebola:
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Ebola is not naturally occurring in the United States
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There are no Ebola cases in the District of Columbia
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The District is well prepared and equipped to manage public health issues such as Ebola
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Ebola is not airborne and cannot be transmitted like a cold or the flu
We are providing educational and technical information to assist you in understanding Ebola. We are also providing links to agency partner websites to complement the information provided on the DOH site. We encourage you to get a flu vaccine and update your immunizations to further protect yourself.
Please be assured that we are on the frontline in protecting the health and well-being of District of Columbia residents as well as those who work and play in our city.
Best regards,
Joxel Garcia, M.D., M.B.A
Director and Chief Medical Officer
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Mayor Gray Releases October Grade.DC.gov Grades
Mayor Vincent C. Gray has released the October grades for the District’s innovative Grade.DC.gov program. The average grade for all participating District government agencies rose to an “A” for the first time since July. The aggregate grade for the month of September was an “A-minus." During October 2014, more than 2,100 reviews of District agencies were logged by residents and visitors. In total, over 6,100 total insights into agency customer service and social media presence were captured for the month of October.
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Mayor Vincent C. Gray Thanks Irv Nathan for His Service as the District’s Attorney General
Mayor Vincent C. Gray thanked Irvin B. Nathan for his nearly four years of service and significant accomplishments as the District’s Attorney General. Nathan announced to his staff today that he would step down November 17 to prepare for his successor, Attorney General-Elect Karl Racine, to take office as the District’s first popularly elected top lawyer.
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Mayor Gray Congratulates Mayor-Elect Muriel Bowser and Other Winners of District Elections
Mayor Vincent C. Gray this evening made the following statement following the results of the District elections: “Tonight, I congratulate Councilmember Muriel Bowser for her victory at the polls, along with other new and continuing elected officials who won their respective contests. I have directed all in my administration to work with the incoming administration to ensure a smooth transition. We have accomplished a great deal over the past four years, and I hope the next Mayor and Council will continue on the positive, upward trajectory we’ve set for the benefit of all of the residents of the District of Columbia.”
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Firefighters Recognized for Meritorious Service
Mayor Vincent C. Gray today awarded Gold Meritorious Service Awards to two firefighters from the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (DCFEMS) who put themselves at extreme personal risk to save someone’s life. “At any moment, our emergency responders understand that they may have to put themselves in harm’s way to protect the people they serve,” said Mayor Gray. “The courage displayed and the actions taken by these firefighters were heroic.”
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Mayor Vincent C. Gray Mourns Death of Thomas M. Menino
Mayor Vincent C. Gray offered his condolences to the family of Thomas M. Menino, who served as Mayor of Boston for two decades. Mayor Menino, who served longer than any other chief executive in Boston’s history, left office earlier this year. Mayor Menino – who, despite recovering from a broken leg at the time, left his hospital bed to deal with the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing in April, 2013 – was also President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors from 2002 to 2003 and was co-founder and co-chair of Mayors Against Illegal Guns. Mayor Gray worked with Mayor Menino as part of both organizations.
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Mayor Gray Announces New Open Government Initiatives
Mayor Vincent C. Gray announced the launch or advancement of six initiatives as part of his ongoing strategy to improve government transparency and accountability. The new initiatives are: the appointment of a 15-member Open Government Advisory Group; the re-launch of the data.dc.gov website which now includes 237 new datasets; and a redesigned track.dc.gov, where residents can track agency performance.
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Immigrant Experience: Breathing in Brooklyn
"When I'm in Brooklyn, at least in certain parts of it, I feel no one can walk up to me and demand to know what I'm doing here," declares Teju Cole in an essay accompanying Kings County, an exhibition on at Stevenson Cape Town. Cole, an award-winning writer who grew up in Lagos in Nigeria but now lives in the New York borough, feels an intense sense of freedom and belonging there that he finds nowhere else. This is perhaps because many of Brooklyn's 2.5 million residents are immigrants. In this porous, open neighbourhood, the burdens of identity and history are less heavy.
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Liberian Roots, Local Politics: Mayoral Hopeful Tests Diverse Suburb
Mike Elliott is running for mayor of Brooklyn Center. He's 31, a local kid and a political newcomer. If he's successful in his bid against incumbent Mayor Tim Willson, he will also be the majority-minority city's first Liberian immigrant to hold the office. His candidacy is turning Brooklyn Center's nine square miles into a testing ground for a new, more diverse Minnesota.
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40 Contemporary African Artists Take On Dante's 'Divine Comedy'
Wangechi Mutu, Yinka Shonibare, Aida Muluneh, Dante Alighieri.
These are some of the brilliant minds involved in "The Divine Comedy," a contemporary art exhibition at the the Savannah College of Art and Design Museum of Art. One of these names, as you may have keenly ascertained, is not like the other. Dante's Italian heritage and an approximately 700-year age gap certainly separate him from the other figures listed on the press release. But 40 contemporary African artists have assembled in his honor, each creating an artistic homage to his timeless depictions of heaven, purgatory and hell.
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Marcus Samuelsson Holds Book Talk & Signing in DC
If you reside in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area here is your chance to listen to Marcus Samuelsson and get a signed copy of his latest book “Marcus Off Duty: The Recipes I Cook at Home.” The Ethiopian-born, award-wining celebrity chef and author will make an appearance on November 13th at Sixth & I, where he is scheduled to hold a conversation with Joe Yonan, the Food and Travel editor of The Washington Post.
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Africa’s Markets of Opportunity
Small Business Training Workshop on Exporting to Africa
The Small Business Development Center Network of Washington DC in partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration will hold a training workshop for small businesses and entrepreneurs focused on African markets.
When: Thursday, November 13, 2014 | 1:00-4:00pm
Where: DCRA Small Business Resource Center|1100 4th St. SW |Room E-4302 |Washington DC | 20024
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Women's Policy Forum: Fighting The Startup Gender Gap
UP Global, Google for Entrepreneurs, and IFC's Women's Finance Hub invite you to a round table discussion on women in entrepreneurship. The discussion will engage all layers of the ecosystem (from grassroots community leaders, to policy makers to entrepreneurs, to corporates executives) in conversation about the key challenges that entrepreneurship faces in reducing the gender gap.
When: Wednesday, November 12, 2014| 8:30-11:00am
Where: IFC|2121 Pennsylvania Ave. NW|Washington DC| 20433
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Entrepreneur Road Map: Marketing and Branding Essentials
In order to be a successful entrepreneur, strategies must be put in place by utilizing relevant tools to reach your target audience. Join us to learn about these tools and how to use them. Robert Fardi, Co-Founder and President of Unison, and Cynthia Washington, President of Washington Concepts Inc. will cover topics on the essential of digital marketing, branding as well as how to position your company through marketing in order to win bids and contracts.
When: Wednesday, November 12, 2014|9:00-10:30am
Where: Venable LLP|575 7th Street NW |Washington, DC |20004
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Doing Business With BRICS 2014
American Institute of Energy Efficiency (AIOEE) is organizing the 2nd Annual Doing Business with BRICS Conference. The BRICS members, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, are an association of major emerging national economies. Reception follows the conference at 5 pm.
When: Thursday, November 13, 2014 | 12:00-5:00pm
Where: Embassy of the Russian Federation |2650 Wisconsin Ave. NW|Washington DC |20007
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The Small Business Policy Project Fall Convening
The Small Business Policy Project (SBPP) invites you for the SBPP Fall Convening. This will be a networking and of about 100 small business stakeholders and partners in the Small Business Policy Project.
When: Wednesday, November 19, 2014|11:00am-1:00pm
Where: R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center| St. Elizabeth’s East|2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE| Washington, DC|20032
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Diaspora Demo Day
Diaspora Demo Day involves startups presenting emerging high growth and high technology companies and social enterprises focused on African and the African Diaspora. The event will also have investors enjoy a private keynote and lunch along with investor only startup demonstrations followed by cocktail and networking reception.
When: Saturday, November 22, 2014
Where: The World Bank| Preston Auditorium| 1818 H St. NW| Washington, DC| 20433
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Food Stamp Employment and Training Program (DHS)
Department of Human Services announces funds to support programs that will provide Food Stamp participants opportunities to gain skills, training or experience that will improve their employment prospects and reduce reliance on Food Stamp benefits. The following entities are eligible to apply: nonprofit organizations, faith- based organizations and community based organizations. For more information contact Daiquiri Anderson at Daiquiri.Anderson@dc.gov
Summer Youth Employment Program 2015
Department of Employment Services announces funds to support the delivery of a variety of workforce exploration and experience- based programs that will provide purposeful and developmentally appropriate employment and career exploration opportunities. The following entities are eligible to apply: nonprofit organizations, faith- based organization, for- profit organizations other than small businesses, small businesses and community- based organizations. For more information contact DOS Grant Office at (202) 671-3100 or doesgrants@dc.gov
DC Clean Team Program
The Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) is soliciting applications from eligible applicants to manage DC Clean Team Program which will improve commercial district appearance to help increase foot traffic, and consequently, opportunity for customer sales; provide jobs for DC residents; reduce litter, graffiti, and posters which contributes to the perception of an unsafe commercial area; maintain a healthy tree canopy and landscape; and support sustainable DC goals by recycling, mulching street trees, using eco- friendly supplies, and reducing storm water pollution. For more information, contact Camille Nixon at (202) 727-3900 or camille.nixon@dc.gov
Family Child Development Homes to Join A Neighborhood-based Network of High Quality Infant/ Toddler Child Care and Comprehensive Services
The Office of the State Superintendent for Education (OSSE) of the District of Columbia seeks applications from Family Child Development Home partners interested in joining a neighborhood-based technical assistance network in order to receive support to attain and maintain federal Early Head Start (EHS) standards. In addition, Family Child Development Home partners that are selected to join a quality improvement network. For more information contact Mr. Walter C. Lundy at Walter.Lundy@dc.gov
2015 AmeriCorps State Competitive Grant Competition
The Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism announces the availability of AmeriCorps State Competitive funding for Fiscal Year 2015 – 2016 to eligible organizations. Subject to the availability of appropriations for Fiscal Year 2015 (FY2015) and release of Application Instructions by the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), new applicants with high-quality proposals will compete nationally with other State and National programs for Competitive funds made available through Serve DC and CNCS. For more information, contact Sarah Watkins at sarah.watkins@dc.gov
Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study (PHACS) Data and Operations Center
Department of Health and Human Services announces funds to continue support for the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Cohort Study (PHACS) which addresses critical scientific questions on the clinical course of perinatally acquired HIV infection in adolescents and young adults and the oral and systemic health consequences of in utero and infant exposure to antiretroviral chemotherapy in representative cohorts of children. For more information, contact National Institute of Health at FBOWebmaster@OD.NIH.GOV
Community Grants
Wells Fargo and the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation announces funds to support projects that link economic development and community well-being to the stewardship and health of the environment. The following entities are eligible to apply: city or township governments, county governments, independent school districts, special district governments, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, state governments, nonprofit organizations, private institutions of higher education, DC government agencies, Local and State Educational Agencies. For more information, please contact Sarah McIntosh st sarah.mcintosh@nfwf.org
Adventist Healthcare Annual Fall Conference
“Our Sacred Journey: Advancing Cultural Competence and Patient- Centered Approaches in End- Of- Life Care.” This year’s conference will offer a thought-provoking and informative day of panels and distinguished speakers focusing on spirituality and cultural competence during end-of-life care.
When: Wednesday, November 12, 2014|8:30am-4:30pm
Where: Hyatt Regency Bethesda |1 Bethesda Metro Center |Bethesda, MD |20814
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The Power of Partnerships: Addressing Breast Cancer on a Local, National, and Global Scale
The African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association and Howard University Cancer Center in collaboration with the DC Department of Health presents a panel discussion addressing breast cancer on a local, national, and global scale.
When: Friday, November 14, 2014| 11:00am-3:00pm
Where: Howard University| Tower Auditorium| 2014 Georgia Avenue NW| Washington, DC| 20060
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Community Health Fair
Join the Governor’s Commission on African Affairs for a free health fair featuring various healthcare vendors. Learn about state programs and listen to expert panelists discuss important topics.
When: Saturday, November 22, 2014| 9:00am-3:00pm
Where: DuVal High School| 9880 Good Luck Road| Lanham, MD| 20706
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DC WBC/DC Bar Small Business Brief Advice Legal Clinic - 11/2014
If you are an existing business or aspiring small business owner, meet one-on-one with attorneys at this brief advice legal clinic. You can get answers to questions about business formation, contract, leases, taxes or any other legal matters related to running a small business. Even if you do not have specific questions, come and tell us about your business for general advice.
When: Saturday, November 22, 2014|9:30am-12:00pm
Where: NCRC Building| 727 15th St. NW| 8th Floor| Washington DC| 20005
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Small Business Property Ownership Program
The Small Business Property Program is spearheaded by the H Street Community Development Corporation (HSCDC) and supported by KW Commercial and the Urban Retail Group. The program serves as a conduit through which the technical and financial resources needed to acquire property ownership will be funneled directly to the small business owner.
When: Monthly Event - Every 2 months| Fourth Tuesday of every month| 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM
Where: Sherwood Recreation Center|640 10th Street NE |Washington DC |20002
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Grant Funding and Proposal Writing Essentials Course
Grant Funding USA's Grant Funding and Proposal Writing Essentials Course is an intensive and detailed introduction to the process, structure, and skill of professional proposal writing. This course is characterized by its ability to act as a thorough overview, introduction, and refresher at the same time.
When: Wednesday, November 12- Friday, November 14, 2014 |8:00am-5:00pm
Where: Georgetown University Campus|2121 I St. NW|Washington DC |20052
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Sponsored Research Workshop
The office of Sponsored Programs will present a detailed description of the preaward process, how to create a grant budget and describe the responsibilities of the principal investigators and the Office of Sponsored Programs during the proposal stage. This session is geared towards principal investigators, administrators, and administrative staff who are new to the proposal process or wish to have a refresher.
When: Friday, November 14, 2014|9:30am-12:30pm
Where: Carn Barn, Georgetown University| Room 317| 3520 Prospect St.. NW| Washington, DC| 20057
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DC Health Link 2nd Information Day and Enrollment Fait
District residents, small business owners and their employees can conveniently shop, compare and enroll in health insurance plans that best meet their needs and budgets. Trained experts will be on-site to assist with the enrollment process.
When: Saturday, November 15, 2014|11:00am-3:00pm
Where: Martin Luther King Library| 901 G Street NW| Washington, DC| 20001
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National Ebola Summit
When: Friday, December 5, 2014|12:30pm
Where: Walter E. Convention Center |801 Mt. Vernon Place |Washington DC |20001
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Books for Ethiopia
The United Tegaru Youth Network in collaboration with Books for Africa and Tigray Development Association are on a mission to send 20,000 textbooks to ten Ethiopian high schools who are in need. Education is the key to success, and we want to help create a brighter future for these students.
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Interfaith Prayer Service for Ebola Relief in West Africa
Join us for interfaith prayers and music, while also learning valuable health information about the crisis from local and international guest speakers.
When: Wednesday, November 19, 2014| 7:00-9:00pm
Where: Civic Center| 1 Veterans Place| Silver Spring, MD| 20910
MLOV Board of Directors
Many Languages One Voice (MLOV) is inviting applications from committed and passionate individuals for its Board of Directors. MLOV's mission is to foster leadership and facilitate community-led initiatives to increase the meaningful inclusion and civic participation of people in the District of Columbia who do not speak English as their primary language.
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Want Your Event Featured in the 'African Beat'?
'The African Beat' is distributed to over 6,000 subscribers every other Friday. If you would like to submit your event to be included in our calendar, please submit the following event details: what, when, & where, and provide a link to where readers can go for more information. Submission deadline for the next edition is Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at 5:00pm (Send all materials, along with any questions, to oaa@dc.gov).
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