Portman Renews Calls for Active Ebola Screenings Following First Confirmed U.S. Case

Press Release

U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) today renewed calls for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to direct U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to enact active screening of travelers demonstrating Ebola symptoms at U.S. ports of entry. This follows the announcement from the CDC that a patient in a Dallas, Texas hospital has tested positive for Ebola.

"While I hope that this is an isolated case, today's announcement serves as a reminder of the need for increased U.S. prevention efforts," said Portman. "According to reports, the patient had recently travelled to West Africa and would have been a clear candidate for active screening. With this announcement, I hope the CDC will consider enacting elevated screening levels."

Earlier this month, Portman urged President Obama to appoint one Administration official to coordinate the U.S. strategy to contain and combat Ebola.

In addition to his letter to the President and CDC, Portman requested information from three other federal agencies in an attempt to better equip the U.S. to deal with the humanitarian crisis.

* Portman wrote to U.S. Agency for International Development regarding the need to leverage all necessary capabilities within the federal government to combat Ebola.

* Portman urged the Office of Management and Budget to provide Congress with an overall picture of the funding and resources that the U.S. has committed to the Ebola crisis.

* Portman followed up on his call to DHS to develop a plan to ensure the U.S is prepared for any potential pandemics.

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