Perry Creating Infectious Disease Task Force
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AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM/AP) - Gov. Rick Perry said that he is creating a state task force to ensure that Texas appropriately responds to infectious diseases like the Ebola virus.
Perry on Monday announced the creation of the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response. It will be overseen by Dr. Brett Giroir, who is the CEO of the Texas A&M Health Science Center.
Perry also called on federal officials to implement screening procedures at all U.S. points of entry. "Customs officials and Border Patrol agents at all points of entry should immediately be directed to conduct enhanced screening procedures," Perry said, "obtaining more information about people who are coming from affected areas, taking appropriate steps upon arrival."
Screeners would take the temperature of travelers and conduct other assessments to determine their overall health.
"The much-needed screening procedures will also necessitate fully-staffed, prepared quarantine stations wherever people are entering the country, ready to care of anyone whose screening turns up a concern, helping to prevent contagions from entering the country," Perry said.
The Texas task force will develop rapid-response plans when an outbreak is confirmed in the state, Perry said.
"There's only so much that a state can do, however," the Governor added. "Many of the circumstances that led to this situation can only be addressed at the federal level. While we appreciate and we applaud the assistance we've received from the CDC and other federal agencies we've worked with, Washington needs to take immediate steps to minimize the dangers of Ebola and other infectious diseases."
(©2014 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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