As fears about Ebola continue to spread, Gov. Chris Christie said the idea that a travel ban from West African countries into the United States would help curb the spread of the virus is a "misnomer," but suspending visas is an option that the federal government should consider.

Gov. Chris Christie listens to a question as he addresses a gathering at Hackensack University Medical Center Wednesday. Christie said that there is no indication that a West African passenger taken to a Newark hospital Tuesday has been infected by the Ebola virus. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Gov. Chris Christie listens to a question as he addresses a gathering at Hackensack University Medical Center Wednesday. Christie said that there is no indication that a West African passenger taken to a Newark hospital Tuesday has been infected by the Ebola virus. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
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"I think every step needs to be taken that can protect, reasonably, the public health of the people of the United States," Christie said during a press conference Wednesday at Hackensack University Medical Center.

According to the governor, there are no flights that go directly from West Africa - where Ebola is rampant in some countries - to the United States.

"What you'd need to really do is do a visa suspension, because no one flies here directly from West Africa to the United States," Christie said.

Christie said a travel ban is not a decision that can be made by the state of New Jersey, it has to come from the president of the United States.

"So, what Homeland Security federally would have to do is suspend the issuance of any new visas," Christie said, adding that the federal government would also have to suspend any active visas by people from those countries.

"That's a significant step," Christie said. "One that I think should be considered."

Other Republicans have repeatedly called on the federal government to enforce a ban of travel from West Africa to the United States. According to an AP article, the U.S. government is cautioning Americans against nonessential travel to Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

During Wednesday's pre-scheduled press conference at Hackensack Medical Center, the governor confirmed that a Liberian man evaluated for possible Ebola symptoms after arriving at Newark Liberty International Airport has tested negative for the virus, according to an Associated Press article.

On Wednesday, federal authorities said everyone traveling into the U.S. from Ebola-stricken nations will be monitored for symptoms for 21 days, including aid workers, journalists, federal health employees and travelers.

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