Text of Senator Charles Schumer's Letter to Dr. Julie L. Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H. Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Dr. Julie L. Gerberding, M.D., M.P.H.
Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
1600 Clifton Road NE, M/S D-14
Atlanta, GA 30333
Dear Dr. Gerberding:
I am writing to respectfully urge the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to work with the Department of Homeland Security to immediately dispatch an emergency response team to New York's Northern border to ensure that border patrol and uniformed federal agents are trained to deal with the growing Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic.
I am pleased that the CDC plans to distribute health alert cards to travelers at border crossings that list symptoms and signs of SARS, but believe that even more can be done to thwart this potential epidemic. Border personnel need to be trained and equipped to spot SARS and to learn how to deal with the thousands of illegal aliens from Pacific Rim countries who cross the border each year, many of whom stop off in Toronto on the way, so New Yorkers and all Americans do not catch the disease from them.
We must do everything we possibly can to combat SARS because we've seen in the last few days that its potential to cause harm is simply too great to ignore. Our border patrol personnel and uniformed federal agents are particularly vulnerable right now because they may be coming into contact with illegal aliens carrying SARS and not even know it. We need to equip these agents with the supplies and know-how to deal with SARS, so that they and the rest of the country are protected from this epidemic.
According to Border Patrol personnel responsible for the uniformed response to alien smuggling, approximately 300-400 illegal aliens cross the border in or near Massena every month, and hundreds more cross in the Buffalo area.
A very large percentage of the aliens are from Pacific Rim nations, such as China and Korea, almost all of whom enter North America in Toronto. Many of these people are impoverished with weak immune systems, Border Patrol sources say. When they board airplanes, individuals infected with SARS could pass the illness on to others.
As you know, there are currently procedures in place to ward off tuberculosis from illegal aliens who might have it. For example, jailers are vaccinated against the disease. I urge you to work with DHS to determine what supplies are needed to handle SARS, such as masks or gloves, and equip relevant personnel with them.
In addition, personnel should be given tips for dealing with SARS cases, and signs and symptons of the epidemic that they should look out for.
Regardless of race or nationality, the common denominator along the border is that nearly all aliens travel through Toronto as a staging area for eventual flight into the US. The CDC must work with local law enforcement to advise and protect these agents in the event they encounter aliens who might be carrying the SARS virus. Moreover, once apprehended, the aliens are held in tight confinement and if infected could expose officers and other personnel. Unfortunately, if we don't act soon, it could be only a matter of time before someone becomes infected as a result of contact with an alien.
The CDC employs the most sophisticated health experts our country has to offer. We now need your help here to prevent a worst-case SARS scenario before it happens
I have been very pleased by the action the CDC has taken internationally to help stem the spread of SARS. Its deployment of medical officers, epidemiologists and other specialists to assist with on-site investigations around the world demonstrates the CDC's commitment to stemming this serious outbreak. Unfortunately, despite these significant efforts, it appears we have been unable to prevent this virus from reaching our shores.
Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Charles Schumer
U.S. Senator