Rep. Steve Israel: U.S. Must Invest In Research For Early Ebola Detection
LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- The science of early detection for the deadly Ebola virus is needed now, says Rep. Steve Israel.
Speaking at a news conference Thursday at North Shore-LIJ Laboratories in Lake Success, the Democratic congressman said the federal government has neglected in recent years the kind of research that could help stop the spread of Ebola in the United States.
"There's been a war on science in Washington, D.C.," Israel told reporters, including WCBS 880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs. "We have slashed science budgets, we have slashed research budgets, and now we are beginning to pay the price."
Israel added there is no time to waste to reverse course.
He wants to be able to accelerate "the science and research that will lead to potentially a quick diagnosis of Ebola from a simple blood test within hours."
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Israel's comments come as some U.S. airports are ramping up screenings of passengers flying from the Ebola-affected African nations of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. Thomas Eric Duncan traveled last month from Liberia to the U.S. and was diagnosed with Ebola in Dallas before dying last week. He was initially sent home by a hospital.
Two nurses who treated Duncan have since contracted the virus.
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