Thompson Statement on Second Ebola Diagnosis in the US
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, released the below statement on news of the second Ebola patient being diagnosed in the United States:
My thoughts and prayers are with the Texas nurse who compassionately and courageously cared for the first U.S. Ebola patient and was diagnosed with the devastating disease this weekend. The CDC attributes the new infection to a breach in protocol, which raises the question whether ordinary hospitals that may not have had specialized training on caring for seriously ill patients safely should be responsible for the long-term care of an Ebola patient when there are beds available in one of our nation's biocontainment units. In the coming days, I encourage the CDC to consider whether it is appropriate to recommend transferring Ebola patients to one of our nation's biocontainment units upon diagnosis if there are beds available. In the meantime, I encourage the CDC, with its State and local public health partners, to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that Ebola-related guidance - from patient isolation to protections for healthcare workers - is distributed and implemented uniformly in our nation's hospitals.
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Media Contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978
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