Obama to announce Ebola fight

Ahead of a planned trip to the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta on Tuesday, administration officials speaking to reporters on the condition of anonymity have said President Barack Obama is to announce the deployment of around 3,000 troops to the nations most affected by Ebola, with a particular emphasis on Liberia.

Seventeen clinics housing 100 beds each would be constructed to help care for patients suffering from Ebola, the officials said. In addition, around 500 healthcare workers are expected to receive training on how to respond to Ebola. The training is expected to last around six months.

The troop deployment will likely be coordinated from headquarters established in Monrovia, Liberia. This will serve as a regional command center to coordinate the American troops and international aid efforts.

The anonymous officials have also said the US will work with the United Nation's Children's Fund to send 400,000 Ebola prevention kits, which will include information and disinfectant.

The current outbreak of the virus has claimed over 2,400 lives in West Africa. The disease is spread through contact with bodily fluids from an infected person.

mz/cd (AP, AFP, dpa)