As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has now confirmed the first recorded case of Ebola in the United States, Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations, repeated his call for a comprehensive approach to fighting Ebola and announced that he will be introducing legislation to address the escalating international epidemic when Congress returns in November.

     “Ebola and several other neglected tropical diseases are a global health problem and are not limited to the developing world,” Smith said.  “These diseases plague the poor–whether they be in Africa or in the United States.  As I have said for quite some time, any of these diseases are only a plane ride away.  Aggressively addressing Ebola at the points of initial outbreak not only prevents loss of life abroad, but also protects Americans here at home—and it is a more effective strategy for disease containment.”

     Smith’s subcommittee has held two hearings on the West African Ebola outbreak: one on August 7 and one on September 17. As a result of these hearings, as well as numerous other hearings, briefings and discussions on the matter, Smith is working on Ebola legislation to ensure a robust U.S. response beyond the expiration of the current funding mandate in mid-December.

    While Smith is currently preparing to introduce legislation to specifically deal with the current Ebola epidemic in West Africa, he is also calling on Congress to pass his legislation to address neglected tropical diseases–HR 4847.  HR 4847 would more broadly increase research and assistance to help developing countries contain diseases before they spread internationally.

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