Rubio: US government may appoint official to coordinate Ebola response

The Trump administration is considering appointing a dedicated official to coordinate the United States' response to the Ebola outbreak in Africa, according to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Speaking before a House of Representatives committee, Rubio indicated that the government is looking for a candidate with the necessary qualifications to manage interagency efforts full-time.

Rubio suggested that while he would not use the term "Ebola czar," the envisioned role would be filled by an individual capable of coordinating cross-departmental affairs. He mentioned that "several candidates" are currently under consideration for this position. This move comes as the administration seeks to centralize and streamline its approach to the ongoing health crisis on the continent.

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I don't want to use the term 'Ebola czar,' but (it would be) someone with relevant qualifications who can coordinate interagency matters full-time.

During the current transition period, an interagency group convenes daily to discuss the Ebola situation. Furthermore, the State Department has established a round-the-clock task force specifically to address related matters. These measures highlight the administration's focus on managing the complex international response required for such an epidemic.

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During the transition period, the interagency group meets daily on this, and we have a dedicated 24/7 team at the State Department dealing with this.