President Barack Obama will appoint former White House adviser Ron Klain as the Ebola “czar” to coordinate the US efforts to combat the deadly virus, CNN reported on Friday, citing unidentified sources.
In choosing Klain, Obama is turning to a trusted former aide who had been part of the White House inner circle earlier in his administration.
Obama remained opposed to a ban on travel from West Africa.
Obama’s administration is facing sharp criticism from lawmakers over its efforts to contain the disease at home. Obama authorized calling up military reservists for the US fight against Ebola in West Africa on Thursday.
US concerns have intensified after two Texas nurses who cared for a dying Liberian patient contracted the virus that has killed nearly 4,500 people. Federal health officials said they were broadening their outreach to people who may have come into contact with one of the workers.
Spain is also grappling with the spread of the disease, with four new patients with suspected Ebola symptoms admitted to hospitals.
