Ebola has spread rapidly throughout West Africa since cases started popping up earlier this year. The disease, which as of now has no proven cure, has been responsible for at least 2,100 deaths in the past few months, according to Global Post and The Washington Post. While Ebola is not currently an imminent threat to the health of Americans, the outbreak requires significant global attention. Because of this, President Obama announced on NBC's "Meet the Press" that he would be sending U.S. troops to bring aid to affected regions.
Doctors Without Borders, an organization that has been active in addressing the outbreak, was instrumental in requesting military aid, noted The Washington Post. The U.S. military will play a key role in helping DWB increase isolation centers and set up mobile labs. The U.S. Air Force will be transporting patients, health care staff and medical equipment. They also hope to help build a communicating hospital network throughout the area, according to The Washington Post.
The Navy Times noted that while Obama plans to contribute an estimated $22 billion to fight the outbreak, no American medical personnel will be sent to treat patients. The disease is known to have been transmitted from a number of patients to the health care professionals helping them. Even though America will not supply doctors and nurses, the U.S. armed forces' attention to detail, useful resources and logistical expertise is expected to be of immense help.