UTMB asked to take 'leadership role' in fighting Ebola

GALVESTON, TX (KTRK) -- UTMB Galveston says it's ready to care for any Ebola patients, or even to dispose of Ebola-related medical waste.

According to a release put out by the hospital, state officials have asked them to take a "leadership role" on several fronts to help stop the deadly disease.

"UTMB is uniquely positioned to help Texas deal with the Ebola situation," said Dr. David Callender, President of UTMB.

According to Callender, some of the world's top Ebola researchers work there and have safely conducted Biosafety Level 4 research there for 10 years, with no infections among those working in its high-containment labs. UTMB is also home to a Level I Trauma Center and the National Biocontainment Training Center, where scientists train to safely work with some of the most dangerous diseases from around the world.

UTMB researchers have been helping develop a possible vaccine for Ebola as well.

Currently UTMB does not have any patients who have Ebola and it has not been asked to accept any from elsewhere.