WASHINGTON, Oct. 16 (UPI) —
President Barack Obama called for monitoring the spread of the Ebola virus "in a much more aggressive way" after a top-level White House meeting.
He directed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to organize and send what he referred to as a medical "SWAT team" within 24 hours of a diagnosis.
His comments came after a meeting in which government response coordination was the primary topic. It was attended by CDC, department of Health and Human Services and Department of Defense representatives, a statement from the White House said.
It followed after an investigation began into how an infected nurse, who treated an Ebola patient in Texas, was allowed to travel on a plane. Officials are seeking the 132 people who were aboard the plane.
Obama added he approved of the approach to prevent the virus from spreading in the United States, saying "These protocols work. If we do these protocols properly … the likelihood of widespread Ebola outbreaks in this country are very, very low."
Federal health officials have been called to testify before Congress Thursday to respond to questions regarding the handling of the issue within the United States.
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