Ellmers Pleased With Collaborative Efforts To Address Ebola

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the statement below follow a conference call with state representatives, health officials, and federal representatives regarding North Carolina's ongoing efforts to remain prepared during the Ebola outbreak:

"After a conference call with members of the N.C. Congressional Delegation, state representatives and local health officials, I am increasingly reassured that public officials in North Carolina are doing everything they can to prevent the spread of Ebola."

"I am grateful for the proactive leadership provided by Governor McCrory and Secretary Wos, and the steps they have taken to ensure that North Carolinians remain safe during the spread of this disease. During this morning's call, Secretary Wos reiterated that N.C. hospital personnel have been briefed and are implementing the most-recent CDC guidelines and they remain equipped with the necessary resources on hand should the need arise."

"Federal and state officials will continue to collaborate in a bipartisan manner to prevent the spread of this disease and to ensure that we have appropriately trained and equipped hospital and EMS personnel. Governor McCrory, Secretary Wos, and the North Carolina delegation will work diligently to protect public health and to ensure that all North Carolinians remain safe."

Governor McCrory organized a conference call Wednesday morning among members of the N.C. Congressional Delegation, the N.C. General Assembly and the N.C. Council of State. N.C Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Aldona Wos, M.D., and State Epidemiologist Megan Davies, M.D., hosted this call as a way to update officials on North Carolina's ongoing preparation efforts to combat the spread of Ebola. There was time allotted during this call for officials to ask questions and offer suggestions. Today's conference call was precautionary, and used solely to discuss preparedness measures in the event that an infected patient was to enter into a North Carolina Hospital.

Last Thursday, Congresswoman Ellmers participated in an Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee Hearing on the Ebola outbreak, where she expressed concern on the response and preparedness efforts of health agencies in the U.S. and abroad. During this hearing, she was able to directly hear from senior officials representing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Additionally, the Congresswoman has sent two letters to the CDC, HHS, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to express concern on this outbreak. In the first letter, she calls for the CDC to create new airport screening protocol so that airport personnel can effectively monitor incoming travelers for symptoms associated with Ebola. In her most recent letter, Rep. Ellmers joined Rep. Robert Pittenger (R-NC-09) in relaying the need for tighter travel restrictions from those that are currently in place.

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