Rep. Mark Takano Statement on Ebola Monitoring of Inland Empire Residents

Riverside, CA – Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement after it was announced that two Inland Empire residents were being monitored and quarantined after traveling from Ebola-stricken countries:

 

"My office has spoken to Riverside County Hospital officials and they have assured us that the two Inland Empire residents being monitored are showing no symptoms of the Ebola virus. The county officials also reiterated to me that hospital staff was properly trained in quarantine protocols and were fully prepared for any residents who returned from West Africa. As far as we know, the residents in quarantine did not come in contact with anyone who had Ebola, which makes their chances of contracting the disease extremely low and the likelihood of an outbreak in the Inland Empire even lower, as the disease can only be transmitted through an exchange of blood or bodily fluids. The Ebola virus is a serious disease and out of caution, we should remain vigilant in monitoring and screening those who return from West Africa, but as experts in the field have stated, an outbreak in the United States remains highly unlikely."