Bilirakis Comments on Ebola Crisis

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gus Bilirakis, member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, issued the following statement on the current Ebola crisis:

"I am deeply concerned about the threat Ebola poses to public health. We must continue to provide diligent oversight of the response and preparedness efforts. The priority must be ensuring the safety of Americans, and stopping this outbreak in West Africa and around the world. In order to guarantee no further importation to the U.S., the Ebola virus must be immediately eradicated in West Africa," Bilirakis said.

"We must have a robust, consistent, and comprehensive strategy to protect the public and fight this devastating crisis, and all options – including a potential temporary travel ban to and from the affected areas – should be considered. The federal government must coordinate with local governments and health care providers to ensure our doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals have the training and resources available to adequately diagnose and treat infected patients. We must also ensure members of the Armed Forces and first responders have the resources they need.

" Last Congress, as Chair of the Emergency Preparedness & Response Subcommittee on the Homeland Security Committee, Congressman Bilirakis held a series of hearings about America's preparedness and ability to respond to an outbreak of an emerging infectious disease.

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