Press Releases

Washington, D.C.- Representative Brad Wenstrup (OH-2) and members of the Doctors Caucus sent a letter to President Obama regarding the containment of Ebola.

The text of the letter is included below and a copy of the letter can be found here.

As doctors and nurses, we have been closely monitoring the growing Ebola epidemic in West Africa with concern. The transmission of Ebola to two health professionals who helped care for Thomas Duncan is extremely concerning, as is the possibility that many more Americans were potentially exposed to the virus by these individuals. Containment is the key to stopping the spread of this highly contagious and deadly disease, and we strongly urge your administration to consider implementing a temporary travel ban for individuals who are citizens of, or traveled to, affected countries in West Africa. For American citizens who have been exposed to Ebola, we support the recommended 21-day quarantine before they can enter the country.

We understand and support the continued flow of aid workers and supplies to control the spread of Ebola at its source, but temporarily restricting entry to the United States for individuals from—or who traveled to—affected countries could limit the possible introduction of additional individuals carrying the virus. We strongly support continued American leadership to help the affected countries in West Africa combat this deadly disease, and urge other members of the global community to redouble their efforts.

Yet we must not lose sight of the fact that Ebola has reached America and has been transmitted on our soil, despite efforts to prevent this from occurring. Already, we have expanded the scope of our preventive measures because initial protocols were insufficient to stop the disease from spreading. To assuage rising public anxiety about a potential health crisis—and to ensure national preparedness if the worst should happen—we urge your administration to take proactive steps to educate, equip, and train public health authorities to effectively contain this disease.

We look forward to working with your administration and public health officials in educating citizens and health professionals on Ebola as we bend the curve in the spread of this disease and strive to protect American lives both at home and abroad.