Experts, Politicians Speak Out On Response To West African Ebola Outbreak

News outlets summarize statements made by experts and politicians on efforts to contain the West African Ebola outbreak.

The Hill: U.S. should do more to contain Ebola outbreak, Sen. McCain says
“The U.S. should do more, including possibly dispatching military assets, to combat the Ebola outbreak roiling at least five African nations, according to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.)…” (Matishak, 8/31).

NPR: The Co-Discoverer Of Ebola Never Imagined An Outbreak Like This
“…‘This is absolutely unexpected and unprecedented,’ [Peter Piot] says. ‘We have here a situation where Ebola finds an enormously fertile ground in very poor countries with very dysfunctional health systems,’ he says. ‘A country like Liberia in 2010 only [had] 51 doctors for the whole country.’ He hopes there will never be another outbreak like this one…” (8/29).

New York Times: Leadership and Calm Are Urged in Ebola Outbreak
“…Unusual tactics and inventive thinking will be needed to beat West Africa’s Ebola outbreak, according to some of the world’s top experts in disease eradication. … Leadership must be imposed, the experts said, perhaps with a West African in charge. Donors must commit at least $500 million. And a new strategy is needed, with the first priority being to stop the panic caused by imprisoning residents of the affected countries behind barbed wire and roadblocks…” (McNeil, 8/29).

Reuters: Poor response to Ebola causing needless deaths: World Bank head
“The world’s ‘disastrously inadequate response’ to West Africa’s Ebola outbreak means many people are dying needlessly, the head of the World Bank said on Monday, as Nigeria confirmed another case of the virus…” (Flynn/Cocks, 9/1).

U.N. News Centre: U.N. health agency identifies countries at risk for spread of Ebola
“The United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) has identified six countries at risk for spread of the Ebola virus disease, adding that it is working with them to ensure that full surveillance, preparedness, and response plans are in place…” (8/29).

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