“We’ve got to go to the core of the problem, solve it there and invest in a vaccine and a treatment to cure it once and for all,” he said on “Face the Nation.”
While the outbreak began in Western Africa, Mr. McCarthy said this is the world’s problem. While some have said the U.S. should stop flying planes back from the affected countries, Mr. McCarthy said just stopping planes to the U.S. might not stop the problem since someone could fly to another country and infect someone there who could fly to the U.S.
“We can’t ignore it and let this spread around the world,” he said.
The administration is sending about 4,000 military troops to the affected countries to provide logistical help. Some have worried about the service members being infected, but officials have said they will not be in direct contact with Ebola patients.
“We’re working on it with the administration, we provided more funding in the continuing resolution that speeds up vaccine,” he said. “But we can not ignore Africa. We have money to go forward with those troops, but we want to make sure there’s a plan out there for the safety of the troops.”
• Jacqueline Klimas can be reached at jklimas@washingtontimes.com.
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