Newsletter: Special Ebola Update from Congressman Kevin Yoder

Statement

Special Ebola Virus Update

In recent weeks my office has received numerous contacts from constituents regarding the potential for an Ebola Outbreak in the United States. The current Ebola outbreak is a serious threat to the American people, and I believe that it is important that the President take certain commonsense steps to protect U.S. citizens from this Ebola epidemic.

Immediately restrict travel of foreign nationals attempting to enter the United States from any country with an Ebola outbreak.

Suspend any previously issued visas for U.S. travel for those coming from or having been to those countries during an outbreak.

Test, monitor, or quarantine as necessary for any individual who has traveled to or from affected countries in West Africa or who has been exposed to the virus for the 21 day period afterwards.

This is not a political issue. This is a human health issue, but I'm concerned the administration has underplayed the risk associated with exposure to Ebola in the United States and that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were woefully unprepared for this deadly virus to reach our shores. We must act to make sure further exposure risk is eliminated. In addition to health related concerns, our State Department and Customs agencies must act deliberately to make sure that this virus can not be shipped over our borders again.

Further, allowing our nation to continue to have a porous northern and southern border is symptomatic of our inability to prevent diseases and other dangerous threats from finding their way into America.

Congressional Action and Funding to Address Ebola

Congress Provided More CDC Funding Than the President Requested Last Year.
The FY 2014 budget agreement reached in January of this year provided the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] "an 8.2 percent budget increase for fiscal 2014," The Atlanta Business Chronicle reported at that time.

"This is more than the agency anticipated, because the president's fiscal year 2014 budget request for it was just $6.6 billion -- a decrease of $270 million from fiscal 2012," the Chronicle adds.

Congress Has Released Up to $750 Million in Funding to Combat Ebola. The House last week released up to $750 million to support Operation United Assistance, the mission "to provide medical, logistical and security support" to combat Ebola in West Africa.
While we await leadership from the Administration, Congress is and has acted deliberately to give them the tools and funding needed to protect our citizens from this deadly disease. Here is a short outline of actions the House of Representatives has taken to equip America against the Ebola Virus at home and abroad.

Appropriations

September 9:Introduced a short-term continuing resolution containing provisions to address the Ebola outbreak. The full House passed the measure on September 17.
Armed Services & Appropriations

September 25: Announced the release of $50 million to support Operation United Assistance, the Department of Defense-led mission to combat the Ebola outbreak.
October 9: Announced the release of an additional $700 million to support Operation United Assistance.
Energy & Commerce

September 12:Sent a letter to HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell seeking more information regarding the Ebola outbreak and preparedness efforts.
October 16:Held a subcommittee hearing examining the U.S. public health response to the Ebola outbreak, with testimony from the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other administration officials.
Foreign Affairs

August 7:Held a subcommittee hearing to examine global efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak, with testimony from the director of the CDC and other administration officials.

September 17:Held a subcommittee hearing to examine global efforts to combat the Ebola outbreak, with testimony from administration officials.

October 15:Sent a letter to the State Department calling for the immediate suspension of the issuance of visas for non-U.S. nationals in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

Homeland Security

September 16: Sent a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security inquiring about inbound international screening procedures and training for Customs and Border Protection personnel.

October 10: Held a field hearing at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to examine the coordinated federal, state and local response to the Ebola case in Dallas, Texas.

October 10:Sent a letter to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection requesting enhanced entry screening at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

October 15: Sent a letter urging the president to re-establish the position of Special Assistant to the President for Biodefense Policy.

October 15:Sent a letter calling on the Departments of State and Homeland Security to temporarily suspend the visas of individuals from Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.

Transportation & Infrastructure

October 14: Sent a letter calling on the Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security to institute a temporary travel ban for affected West African countries.

Local Update: Potential Ebola Case in Kansas City - Ebola Test Negative

It is clear that people are concerned for their health and safety and that our region is equally vulnerable. Just days ago a patient appeared at the University of Kansas Hospital exhibiting symptoms of Ebola, and luckily those tests came back negative. Prior to his arrival in the Kansas City areas he worked as a medic on a commercial boat off Africa's west coast. Our region has some of the best healthcare workers in the U.S. The picture above features some of those workers from KU Hospital demonstrating some of their state of the art safety equipment which was on display at a tour my office took part in this week.

We are lucky that this area has not been exposed to Ebola, but are heartened to know that we are prepared if we are faced with treating the disease.

What is Ebola? Information from the CDC:

Ebola, previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus strains. Ebola can cause disease in humans and nonhuman primates (monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). Ebola is caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus.

There are five identified Ebola virus species, four of which are known to cause disease in humans: Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus); Sudan virus (Sudan ebolavirus); Taï Forest virus (Taï Forest ebolavirus, formerly Côte d'Ivoire ebolavirus); and Bundibugyo virus (Bundibugyo ebolavirus). The fifth, Reston virus (Reston ebolavirus), has caused disease in nonhuman primates, but not in humans. Ebola viruses are found in several African countries.

Ebola was first discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since then, outbreaks have appeared sporadically in Africa. The natural reservoir host of Ebola virus remains unknown. However, on the basis of evidence and the nature of similar viruses, researchers believe that the virus is animal-borne and that bats are the most likely reservoir. Four of the five virus strains occur in an animal host native to Africa.

Symptoms of Ebola include:

Fever (greater than 38.6°C or 101.5°F)
Severe headache
Muscle pain
Weakness
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Abdominal (stomach) pain
Unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising)

Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, but the average is 8 to 10 days. Recovery from Ebola depends on good supportive clinical care and the patient's immune response. People who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at least 10 years.

If you have been in contact with someone with Ebola and are concerned that you are exhibiting symptoms contact your Doctor and seek immediate medical care.

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