As the American public becomes increasingly worried about the potential spread of the Ebola virus in this country, Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and International Organizations, repeated his earlier call for enhanced Ebola testing for those coming from affected countries. He said improved testing will be an important main component of legislation to address the escalating international epidemic which he plans to introduce when Congress reconvenes in November.

     “We need to break the Ebola transmission chain,” said Smith, who has held two hearing on Ebola since the outbreak.  “The first line of defense is testing and isolation overseas. It can make it to the U.S. through air passenger. To protect Americans, we should at a minimum be screening people coming into the United States from Western Africa.”

     Dr. Thomas Frieden, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as other experts, have said stopping all flights to the affected countries will prevent much-needed supplies from getting into these countries at a time when a steady, increasing supply of medicines and medical equipment is desperately needed. Moreover, it is believed that travel restrictions would discourage the necessary flow of volunteers, who will need assurances of evacuation should they become infected.

    Frieden personally updated Smith on the Ebola situation last week, and testified before Smith's global health subcommittee at an emergency hearing in August.

    There is no set U.S. protocol currently to require questioning of travelers from the affected areas about whether they have come in contact with anyone infected with Ebola.  The practice at this point is to detain only those travelers who are visibly ill. Smith called for required taking of temperature and stricter questioning of travelers from affected countries. Visibly sick travelers suspected of Ebola already are tested for the presence of Ebola antibodies and are held until the test is completed. Those who test positive are isolated until they can be transported safely for medical treatment.  There are now only 20 airports in the United States where strict quarantine is possible, including Newark Liberty International Airport.

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