Rep. Bera Issues Statement on Ebola Outbreak in the DRC and Uganda

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, U.S. Representative Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, issued a statement on the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda:

"As the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda face another deadly and rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak, we are seeing in real time why global health security matters. Infectious diseases do not respect borders, and delays in disease detection and response make Americans more vulnerable.

"Recognizing the persistent threat posed by Ebola and other infectious diseases, I introduced an amendment last year to the State Department reauthorization bill to strengthen Ebola response and global health security so the United States and our partners would be better prepared to stop outbreaks at their source before they reach our shores. Republicans voted it down.

"Sweeping cuts to USAID and the CDC by this Administration have further weakened disease surveillance, reduced our ability to detect outbreaks early, and undermined the rapid response capacity that has helped protect Americans and save lives around the world.

"We should be strengthening coordination with impacted countries, supporting frontline disease detection, and working alongside international organizations to contain outbreaks quickly and effectively."