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Amid Ebola Concerns, Congressional Delegation Splits On Proposed Travel Restrictions

Some Calling For Travel Ban Or Quarantining Of Travelers

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Wisconsin’s congressional delegation has differing opinions on whether or not travel should be restricted because of the Ebola virus.

While the general consensus is that the U.S. needs to step up its efforts to help contain and treat the Ebola outrbreak in Africa and at home, many lawmakers disagree on whether people from affected countries should fly freely.

U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson has called for banning travel or quarantining people who have been to affected nations or exposed to Ebola patients. U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan said U.S. officials should consider travel restrictions.

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U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble said he wants to see Congress called back to Washington, D.C., for a special session addressing the Ebola concerns. He’d like Congress to pass a resolution banning air travel from affected African countries, making an exception for medical and defense personnel.

“By forcing a containment and having a major Western power saying, ‘We’re restricting travel,’ it will begin to start to spread to other countries. They’ll also do the same thing,” Ribble said. “Then, at that point, you can really begin to isolate it and focus your medical attention and care into that region to get control.”

Other lawmakers aren’t ready to call for restrictions.

U.S. Rep. Ron Kind said he thinks it’s too early for an outright travel ban, but does want much better health screenings at airports.

“Obviously, making sure we’re getting accurate information where people are coming from and whether there was a possibility of exposure,” he said. “Then, doing some of the temperature screenings, too. We know there’s a 20-day incubation period we’re dealing with so that might not always be effective.”

U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore also opposes a travel ban and said isolation could only make things worse in west Africa.