WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is authorizing the Pentagon to call up reserve and National Guard troops if they are needed to assist in the U.S. response to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
The U.S. has already committed to sending up to 4,000 military personnel to West Africa to provide logistics and help build treatment units to confront the rapidly spreading and deadly virus.
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Obama signed an executive order Thursday that permits the Pentagon to use the reservists and Guard troops.
Obama also notified top congressional officials of his move.
Nearly 4,500 people have died from the Ebola outbreak, most of them in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. The White House has said the troops will not be providing direct health care aid.
Before You Go
1
Ebola is highly infectious and even being in the same room as someone with the disease can put you at risk
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2
You need to be worried if someone is sneezing or coughing hard
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3
Cancelling all flights from west Africa would stop the spread of Ebola
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4
Temperature screening at airports is an effective way to stop those who have the disease from travelling
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5
Border staff should stop people coming in to the country who are at risk
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6
Screening at British airports should be implemented to stop unwell people coming in from affected areas
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7
Ebola doesn't have a cure
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8
Ebola is a death sentence
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9
Ebola turns you into a zombie
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