About Careers MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

US Troops Fighting Ebola are Being Withdrawn

by Himabindu Venkatakrishnan on February 12, 2015 at 6:26 PM
Font : A-A+

 US Troops Fighting Ebola are Being Withdrawn

President Barack Obama ordered home American troops fighting Ebola in West Africa on Wednesday, saying that it would give way to a civilian-led drive to "extinguish" the deadly virus.

"We are shifting our focus from fighting the epidemic to now extinguishing it," Obama said, flanked by Ebola response staff.

Advertisement

Obama said a military force that peaked at 2,800 troops would number not more than 100 by the end of April.

The forces, most of whom were stationed in Liberia, constructed Ebola treatment units, trained health workers, provided logistical support for aid agencies and set up labs to test blood samples.
Advertisement

"We have risen to the challenge" Obama said.

Guinea and its neighbors Sierra Leone and Liberia have registered more than 9,000 deaths since the Ebola epidemic flared up in December 2013.

During the seven days leading up to February 1, 124 new cases were confirmed across the three west African countries, a significant reduction from peak rates.

But with the weekly number of new Ebola cases registered in those three countries rising in the last week of January -- marking the first increase in 2015 -- Obama was careful not to declare "mission accomplished."

"I want to be very clear here, while our troops are coming home America's work is not done. Our mission is not complete."

Liberia, he said, "has seen the best progress, Sierra Leone is moving in the right direction, Guinea has the longest way left to go."

"Our focus now is getting to zero."

"As long as there is even one case of Ebola that is active out there risks still exist. Every case is an ember that if not contained could light a new fire."

Source: AFP
Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Reading

Latest Tropical Disease News

Hope for Pregnant Women: New Malaria Study Offers Optimistic News
Pregnant women in Korogwe, Tanzania are found to have a high risk of contracting malaria, which is one of the deadliest diseases in sub-Saharan Africa.
Nasal Swab can Help Detect Early Warning of Emerging Viruses
Can nasal swab test save you from emerging diseases? Yes, simple nasal swab can offer early detection of new deadly viruses.
<i>Naegleria Fowleri</i> Infection: Deadly Brain-Eating Amoeba Kills a South Korean Man
Brain-eating amoeba (Naegleria fowleri) infection claims a South Korean man's life.
Infrared Light Beam to Detect Malaria
Harmless infrared light is used to detect malaria with the help of a computer algorithm processed by a smart phone.
Monkeypox Virus in Testes of Non-human Primate Survivors Detected
Monkeypox virus may be shed into semen during both acute and convalescent stages of the disease in crab-eating macaques.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
×

US Troops Fighting Ebola are Being Withdrawn Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests