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As concerns grow locally and across the country about our national response to confirmed cases of the Ebola virus, Congressman Tonko released the following statement:

“Although the potential of an expanded outbreak of Ebola within our borders remains extremely unlikely, it is critical that our national and local health care professionals are prepared to respond to any additional cases of the disease by following the correct protocol. I will continue my work in the Capital Region and in Washington to ensure our nation takes the appropriate approach to this concern to protect citizens and keep Americans safe.”

Congressman Tonko’s work with his colleagues in Washington and local leaders in the Capital Region in response to confirmed cases of Ebola includes:

·        Meetings and discussions with local hospitals and health care workers to ensure health care providers are prepared and proper protocol is followed.

·        Written submission of both a statement and in-depth questions to administration officials who testified at Thursday’s House of Representatives hearing on Ebola.

·        Asking Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to work together to expedite the confirmation of Dr. Vivek Murthy for Surgeon General of the United States. The nation has been without a confirmed Surgeon General since July 16, 2013.

·        Writing to the House Committee on Appropriations, calling for additional funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to help prevent future public health crises like Ebola.

·        Direction of staff to attend multiple briefings in Washington with administration and national public health officials.

Congressman Tonko remains in constant communication with administration officials, other Members of Congress, and his staff regarding the ongoing response to Ebola. He will continue to monitor the situation and work to ensure our local communities remain informed and ready to combat Ebola if necessary.

According to the CDC, one can only contract Ebola through direct contact with bodily fluids of a person who is sick with or has died from the virus, objects contaminated with the virus, or affected animals. Ebola only spreads when people are showing symptoms, meaning a patient must have symptoms to spread the disease to others and, after 21 days, if an exposed person does not develop symptoms, they will not become sick with Ebola. More information on the disease can be found at the CDC website.

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