Overhead view of UC Davis Medical Center at sunset

UC Davis Medical Center to become first Special Pathogen Treatment Center in Northern California

CDPH providing $1.2 million to help hospital upgrade capacity to treat patients infected with pathogens like Ebola

(SACRAMENTO)

UC Davis Medical Center is on its way to being designated as a Special Pathogen Treatment Center (SPTC). This classification, which will enable it to handle patients with contagious infectious diseases, is thanks to $1.2 million in funding from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

The new designation is also known as a National Special Pathogens System (NSPS) Level 2 facility. 

As a Level 2 center, UC Davis will be ready and able to safely receive, assess and provide care for people with risk for special pathogens infection, including Ebola and Marburg virus disease. UC Davis will join Cedars-Sinai Medical Center as one of only two NSPS hospitals providing specialized special pathogen assessment and treatment to California patients outside Los Angeles County. As the regional Level 1 treatment facility, Cedars-Sinai will partner with UC Davis to help develop preparedness and response capabilities, enhancing the state’s overall readiness. 

“The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is pleased to announce its partnership with the University of California, Davis,” said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer, Erica Pan. “CDPH will support UC Davis Medical Center in becoming a Special Pathogen Treatment Center, the second center that can serve statewide and the first in Northern California providing specialized assessment and treatment for California residents.”

Level 2 center

The NSPS is a tiered way to care for patients. There are four facility levels, each with increasing capabilities to manage patients with high-consequence infectious diseases. Level 2 facilities are designed to deliver specialized care to clusters of patients and serve as primary centers for patient care throughout the duration of illness.

Angel Desai, associate professor of Infectious Diseases, and Christian Sandrock, director of critical care, will lead the new Level 2 center at UC Davis Medical Center.

Angel Desai
“We are proud to be part of a robust network of hospitals dedicated to treating highly contagious infectious diseases. Our exceptional team stands ready to serve as a vital resource for California and the broader region.”Angel Desai

“We are proud to be part of a robust network of hospitals dedicated to treating highly contagious infectious diseases,” Desai shared. “Our exceptional team stands ready to serve as a vital resource for California and the broader region.”

Preparing for special pathogens

Special pathogens are highly contagious known or new viruses that can cause severe illness in humans. To protect public health, health care systems must be prepared to rapidly identify, isolate and manage these cases.

The $1.2 million in state funding from CDPH upgrades include:

  • The maintenance of airborne infection isolation rooms 
  • Investment in specialized equipment
  • Enhanced training for medical staff to ensure safe and effective care for patients infected with special pathogens 

“Designing care for patients with highly contagious pathogens requires a fundamentally different approach,” explained Sandrock. “We’re building a parallel system — one that allows us to respond swiftly while keeping patients, health care workers and the broader community safe.”

Christian Sandrock
“Designing care for patients with highly contagious pathogens requires a fundamentally different approach. We’re building a parallel system — one that allows us to respond swiftly while keeping patients, health care workers and the broader community safe.”Christian Sandrock

Community impact

This designation will enhance California’s capacity to respond to outbreaks, ensuring that patients across Northern California and surrounding states have access to specialized care during public health emergencies.

“This generous investment by the state ensures that Californians will have access to the facilities, trained personnel and protocols needed to safely and effectively treat highly contagious infectious diseases,” said Bruce Hall, interim vice chancellor of human health sciences and chief clinical officer. “At UC Davis Health, our multidisciplinary team — including experts in infectious diseases, infection control, emergency medicine, security and preparedness — are ready to provide care for individuals with some of the most highly contagious infectious diseases.”