U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) and U.S. Representatives Ted Deutch (FL-21), Lois Frankel (FL-22), and Patrick Murphy (FL-18) held a roundtable today on efforts at the federal, state, and local levels to respond to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and to keep Americans safe at home.

“If we’re confronted with the spread of this disease, it’s important that preparations are made now at the community level,” said Sen. Nelson.

“There is no nation more prepared to lead the global response to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa than the United States, and the federal government must use every resource available to get this deadly outbreak under control,” said Rep. Deutch. “What today’s roundtable discussion showed us is that alongside these critical international efforts, our federal agencies must coordinate closely with state and local health officials, hospitals, and emergency response teams to ensure that our communities are prepared to effectively and safely respond to any potential infections here at home.”

 “While we must intensify efforts to contain Ebola in West Africa, it is important to make sure that our local health care personnel and hospitals have the necessary protocols and equipment in place to properly handle patients presenting with the disease,” said Rep. Frankel.

“This heartbreaking humanitarian crisis in Western Africa must not become a public health crisis in America,” said Rep. Murphy. “Preparedness for our health officials across the community, state, and nation are vital in this effort, which is why I thank all of the health officials here today for participating in this important discussion.”

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) granted Florida’s requests to repurpose $7 million in existing grant funds to help the state prepare for a possible outbreak of Ebola. The federal money will be used to purchase additional high-level personal protective equipment for health care workers and other Ebola preparedness supplies.

Additionally, Florida requested that the CDC provide 30 Ebola testing kits, three of which have already been issued. Also, later today, the CDC will hold a conference call with Florida hospitals about how to identify and react to an infected patient.

Roundtable participants included the Assistant Administrator of USAID Nancy Lindborg, the Director of UF Emerging Pathogens Institute Dr. J. Glenn Morris Jr., and officials from Miami Customs and Border Patrol; Port of West Palm Beach; Port Everglades; Fort Lauderdale Airport; the Florida Department of Health, Florida Atlantic University; West Palm Beach VA Medical Center; JFK Medical Center; Jupiter Medical Center; the Health Care District of Palm Beach County; St. Mary’s Hospital; and the Memorial Health Care System.

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