CNN "Newsroom" - Transcript: Ebola Outbreak

Interview

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Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii joins me now. Thanks very much for taking time out of your Sunday.

REP. TULSI GABBARD (D), HAWAII: Thanks, Jim. Aloha.

SCIUTTO: So, I know that you just issued a statement today calling for the CDC to increase the quarantine period for people that have been exposed, in fact, doubling it from 21 to 42 days. Why do you think 21 days is not long enough?

GABBARD: Well, Jim, it's a very simple fact. Our number one priority needs to be making sure that we don't allow further infections of Ebola to happen here in the United States both by those here who have been in contact with those who have been infected with Ebola, but also for those who still have open passage to come here to the United States from these West African countries who could also have had contact with Ebola patients.

Let's look at how the CDC has been handling this entire situation. It's been mishandled. There's been outdated standards have been used for everything from the personal protective equipment, for our healthcare providers, and also to this 21-day incubation period that CDC has put out and people are following.

We've got to look at the World Health Organization standard, which is 42 days, which is based on more recent scientific data and research to allow as close to 100 percent assurance and err on that side of caution, to make sure that those who either have been in contact, who've been suspected to be in contact, someone infected with Ebola are then not putting others in danger and risking, infecting others, and allowing this to grow and spread.

SCIUTTO: So, to be clear for our viewers, you're saying that there's medical evidence that for some cases -- and this is a disease that's been studied since 1976. So, there should be data out there. That it could present after that 21-day period?

GABBARD: There is scientific data out there looking at case studies over years and looking to the most recent situations that we've seen and the 21-day incubation period that these studies show do not -- it's not 100 percent coverage that shows that people do not get sick after that incubation period. There are studies that show that people are getting sick after that 21-day incubation period, which is why we need to follow the World Health Organization standard that they have in place which is a 42-day period.

SCIUTTO: So, you have two problems here really. You have the problem when you have a case in the States as we have had new three cases, what do you do with those contacts and how long to keep them controlled so it doesn't go forward, but then also, you have the possibility of new cases coming in.

What is your position on a travel ban preventing anyone from coming from the countries that have been most threatened with this disease in West Africa from coming to the U.S. Do you think that's necessary and justified?

GABBARD: I think it's important that we do institute a travel ban for people coming from these countries. We can come at this from a couple different directions. We can institute a 42-day incubation period before they're allowed to set foot here in our country, so we can be assured that they're not carrying the infection with them here to the United States or we cannot issue visas to people coming from those countries temporarily, until we get a handle on what's happening here with preparedness and readiness here at the United States.

It's in our best interest for the people of the United States but also to be able to help and provide assistance to these West African countries, to make sure that we are not having to deal with a larger outbreak here at home on our soil.

We've got some inconsistencies that I think absolutely need to be addressed. Right now, for example, we have American soldiers, healthcare workers for example, who may or may not have contact with people, and the work they're doing in West Africa, going through what is currently a 21-day incubation period and yet we have citizens from these West African countries who can get on a plane and fly here to the United States, and maybe they get their temperature taken and they say I haven't been in contact with anyone.

But we have no assurance of whether or not they're telling the truth first of all, or whether or not their temperature may be fine but they may be incubating this illness and they're giving free passage to jump on a bus, jump on the plane and travel anywhere in the United States which shows the difference in standards, and I think this is what is causing great confusion and frustration and anger on the part of the American people that we're not focusing our efforts enough on preventing further infections here at home, which is exactly where we should be focused.

SCIUTTO: Let me ask you this because you have these 48 people in Dallas who are about to pass that 21-day window -- in fact, at midnight tonight. Is it your view that if they are cleared and free to go home and travel and work, et cetera, after midnight tonight that that's too early?

GABBARD: I think it is too early. I think if we're looking at what is the possibility of someone falling sick after that 21-day period and within that 42-day period that the World Health Organization has set in which they are enforcing around the world, I think it is irresponsible for us to put the American people at that risk when we have this data and we have this information. It's more important for us to err on the side of caution, to make sure that we don't allow this possibility of further infections to continue across our country.

SCIUTTO: Congresswoman Gabbard from Hawaii, aloha. Thank you for joining us this Sunday.

GABBARD: Thanks, Jim. Aloha.

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