President Obama cancels political trip to deal with Ebola threat

WASHINGTON – President Obama abruptly canceled a political trip to New Jersey and Connecticut on Wednesday to remain in Washington to meet with members of his Cabinet about the Ebola threat.

The change came as a second health worker in Dallas tested positive for the disease.

Obama was supposed to headline an event in Union, N.J. to raise money for Senate Democrats, and campaign in Bridgeport, Conn., on behalf of Gov. Daniel Molloy.

The cancellation of the trip follows criticism that the health care system in the U.S. is not adequately prepared to deal with Ebola patients.

The change in plans also attempts to prevent the kind to criticism Obama endured over the summer for fund-raising activities amid heightened concerns over the threat posed by Islamic State extremists in Iraq and Syria.

               FRANCOIS LENOIR/REUTERS Volunteers for Doctors Without Borders receive training on how to handle personal protective equipment  to deal with the Ebola outbreak.

Instead of traveling Wednesday, Obama «will convene a meeting at the White House of cabinet agencies coordinating the government’s Ebola response» the White House said.

The President was to address reporters following the afternoon meeting.

Obama on Wednesday also participated in a video conference with British, French, German, and Italian counterparts to discuss the international response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and other matters, according to the White House.