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Obama says Ebola outbreak a 'global security threat' | Obama says Ebola outbreak a 'global security threat' |
(about 9 hours later) | |
President Barack Obama has called the West Africa Ebola outbreak "a threat to global security" as he announced a larger US role in fighting the virus. | President Barack Obama has called the West Africa Ebola outbreak "a threat to global security" as he announced a larger US role in fighting the virus. |
"The world is looking to the United States," Mr Obama said, but added the outbreak required a "global response". | "The world is looking to the United States," Mr Obama said, but added the outbreak required a "global response". |
The measures announced included ordering 3,000 US troops to the region and building new healthcare facilities. | The measures announced included ordering 3,000 US troops to the region and building new healthcare facilities. |
Ebola has killed 2,461 people this year, about half of those infected, the World Health Organization said. | Ebola has killed 2,461 people this year, about half of those infected, the World Health Organization said. |
The announcement comes as UN officials have called the outbreak a health crisis "unparalleled in modern times". | The announcement comes as UN officials have called the outbreak a health crisis "unparalleled in modern times". |
The spread of the disease means the funds needed to fight the outbreak have increased 10-fold in the past month, the UN's Ebola co-ordinator said, saying it needs $1bn (£614m) to fight the outbreak. | The spread of the disease means the funds needed to fight the outbreak have increased 10-fold in the past month, the UN's Ebola co-ordinator said, saying it needs $1bn (£614m) to fight the outbreak. |
'Massive surge needed' | 'Massive surge needed' |
Among the measures announced by Mr Obama on Tuesday: | Among the measures announced by Mr Obama on Tuesday: |
Ebola only spreads in close contact but there is no cure and no vaccine. The outbreak began in Guinea before spreading to its neighbours Sierra Leone and Liberia. | Ebola only spreads in close contact but there is no cure and no vaccine. The outbreak began in Guinea before spreading to its neighbours Sierra Leone and Liberia. |
Mr Obama said the outbreak had reached epidemic proportions in West Africa, as the disease "completely overwhelmed" hospitals and clinics and people were "literally dying on the streets". | Mr Obama said the outbreak had reached epidemic proportions in West Africa, as the disease "completely overwhelmed" hospitals and clinics and people were "literally dying on the streets". |
He called on other countries to step up their response, as a worsening outbreak would lead to "profound political, economic and security implications for all of us". | He called on other countries to step up their response, as a worsening outbreak would lead to "profound political, economic and security implications for all of us". |
There's a "potential threat to global security if these countries break down", he said, which would impact on everyone. | There's a "potential threat to global security if these countries break down", he said, which would impact on everyone. |
"The world knows how to fight this disease. We know if we take the proper steps we can save lives. But we have to to work fast," Mr Obama said. | "The world knows how to fight this disease. We know if we take the proper steps we can save lives. But we have to to work fast," Mr Obama said. |
Earlier, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the 3,000 troops would not provide direct care to Ebola patients. Some soldiers would be stationed at an intermediate base in Senegal, while others will provide logistical, training and engineering support at locations in Liberia. | Earlier, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the 3,000 troops would not provide direct care to Ebola patients. Some soldiers would be stationed at an intermediate base in Senegal, while others will provide logistical, training and engineering support at locations in Liberia. |
On Tuesday, a US congressional panel heard testimony from Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, and Dr Kent Brantly, who recovered from an Ebola infection after receiving an experimental treatment for the disease. | On Tuesday, a US congressional panel heard testimony from Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, and Dr Kent Brantly, who recovered from an Ebola infection after receiving an experimental treatment for the disease. |
Dr Fauci told the committee 10 volunteers in a separate vaccine study had shown no ill effects from an early stage trial. | Dr Fauci told the committee 10 volunteers in a separate vaccine study had shown no ill effects from an early stage trial. |
Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) called on other countries to follow the US lead as the response to outbreak continued to fall "dangerously behind". | Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) called on other countries to follow the US lead as the response to outbreak continued to fall "dangerously behind". |
At the Ebola briefing, MSF president Joanne Liu said there needed to be a co-ordinated response under a clear chain of command. | At the Ebola briefing, MSF president Joanne Liu said there needed to be a co-ordinated response under a clear chain of command. |
"The window of opportunity to contain this outbreak is closing," she said. "We need more countries to stand up, we need greater deployment, and we need it now." | "The window of opportunity to contain this outbreak is closing," she said. "We need more countries to stand up, we need greater deployment, and we need it now." |
Earlier on Tuesday, the WHO welcomed China's pledge to send a mobile laboratory team to Sierra Leone, which will include epidemiologists, clinicians and nurses. | Earlier on Tuesday, the WHO welcomed China's pledge to send a mobile laboratory team to Sierra Leone, which will include epidemiologists, clinicians and nurses. |
"The most urgent immediate need in the Ebola response is for more medical staff," WHO head Margaret Chan said in the statement. | "The most urgent immediate need in the Ebola response is for more medical staff," WHO head Margaret Chan said in the statement. |
Ebola virus disease (EVD) | Ebola virus disease (EVD) |
'Biological war': A week on the Ebola frontline | 'Biological war': A week on the Ebola frontline |
Ebola: Mapping the outbreak | Ebola: Mapping the outbreak |
How bad can it get? | How bad can it get? |
Have you been affected by the Ebola outbreak? You can send us your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |