Officials announced on Friday, Nov. 14, that servicemembers in the National Guard and Army Reserve will be sent to West Africa to support U.S. efforts to eradicate Ebola. They will be replacing the soldiers who are currently overseas, having been deployed over the past two months, reported Military Times. They will primarily be sent to Senegal and Liberia.
Currently, there are 2,200 American troops helping contain and combat the epidemic. NBC News noted that within the next month, this number will grow to around 3,000. Some servicemembers have already begun returning, however. Though none of them have shown symptoms of the deadly disease, they are all being quarantined for 21 days upon their return home in accordance to the Military's Ebola policy.
Troops are working to construct medical treatment facilities and training health workers. According to Stars and Stripes, the National Guard and Army Reserve members will receive thorough training before they leave, including specific instruction on contagious diseases and Ebola prevention.
Military Times reported that once deployed, Guard and Reserve troops could remain overseas for up to a year.
Officials fielded questions from families of those set to be sent to the infected region at a base in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, on Thursday, Nov. 13. According to Military Times, they were told that their loved ones will be following a "battle rhythm" in terms of their daily routine. They will not be allowed to leave the base without permission, to prevent any contact with people carrying the disease. Their deployment will not include hazardous duty pay, combat-zone exclusions, hostile fire pay or regular basic pay.
Authorities assured families that the safety precautions in place will prevent any American troops from contracting the largely fatal infection.