The White House would not say Thursday whether it thinks Americans are overreacting to the Ebola threat.
Spokesman Josh Earnest was asked to analyze whether the public was overreacting to the two new cases of the deadly virus in the United States, given repeated assertions from Obama administration officials that a widespread outbreak in the U.S. is unlikely.
“I would encourage them to be cognizant of the medical advice of experts,” Earnest said, reiterating that the chance of a widespread Ebola outbreak in the U.S. remains “exceedingly low.”
The White House is attempting to assuage public fears while showcasing presidential action to ensure the virus does not spiral out of control.
The president canceled a second day of campaign events Thursday to remain in Washington to conduct meetings with those leading Ebola response efforts.
Earnest said Obama would call members of Congress, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention health workers and foreign leaders later Thursday to discuss efforts to contain the disease.
Still, Earnest said Obama was not considering a prime-time address to the nation “right now.”
Two nurses who contracted Ebola while treating Liberian national Thomas Eric Duncan in Dallas will receive treatment at medical facilities in Atlanta and at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md.
