Pittenger: NC DHHS should consult with SIM on Ebola

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER URGES NC DHHS TO UTILIZE EXPERTISE OF SIM MISSION AGENCY IN PREPARATIONS FOR EBOLA

CHARLOTTE – This morning, Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) teleconferenced with North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Aldona Wos and State Epidemiologist Dr. Megan Davies to discuss North Carolina’s preparations for a possible Ebola outbreak.

Congressman Pittenger urged NC DHHS to utilize the expertise of Charlotte-based SIM, the international Christian mission agency which has been battling Ebola since long before the dramatic headlines. 

“SIM’s years of knowledge and experience have aided the CDC and other organizations in training new medical teams, and an SIM doctor prepared the training manual for new medical workers treating Ebola,” explained Congressman Pittenger.  “We hope and pray Ebola never comes to North Carolina, but as we take responsible action to prepare, we should consult with the experts at SIM who have front-line experience in the battle against Ebola.”

Secretary Wos explained that NC DHHS has been in contact with SIM since the first Ebola-exposed missionaries began returning from Liberia, and will continue to work with SIM’s experts in preparing for Ebola.

Yesterday, Congressman Pittenger joined Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (NC-02) in writing Centers for Disease Control Director Tom Frieden, demanding the Administration and CDC work together on travel restrictions to protect American citizens from Ebola.

As Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, Congressman Pittenger is concerned terrorists could use Ebola-infected travelers in an attack against the United States.  He was among the first to call for enhanced travel restrictions and continues to encourage federal, state, and local health officials to take decisive action to prevent an Ebola outbreak.

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