PARIS/CONAKRY, Sept 19: The United Nations unveiled plans for a special mission to combat the worst Ebola epidemic on record in West Africa, as the death toll hit 2,630 and France became the latest Western nation to step up its support. French President Francois Hollande announced the deployment of a military hospital to remote Forest Region of southeastern Guinea, where the outbreak was first detected in March. Since then the virus has infected at least 5,357 people, according to World Health Organization (WHO), mostly in Guinea, neighbouring Sierra Leone and Liberia. It has also spread to Senegal and Nigeria.
With fragile West African healthcare systems overrun by the outbreak, Hollande yesterday said France’s response would not be limited to contributing to 150 million euros (194 million dollars) in aid promised by European Union nations. ‘We must save lives,’ he told a news conference. ‘I have asked the defence minister to coordinate this action and to include military doctors and the civil protection agency plus air support.’
US President Barack Obama, calling the disease a threat to global security, promised this week the deployment of 3,000 US troops to help contain the epidemic. Britain also announced on Wednesday it would help to provide a further 700 treatment beds in Sierra Leone, its former colony.
One of the most deadly diseases, there is no known cure for the hemorrhagic fever, though development of several treatments and vaccines is being fast-tracked.
In New York, the 15-member UN Security Council was due to adopt a resolution later yesterday that declares the outbreak of Ebola, spread by contact with the body fluids of infected people, a ‘threat to international peace and security’. In a letter circulated to the Council, UN. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he will appoint a special envoy to head the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER), based in the region.
‘The strategic priorities of the mission will be to stop the spread of the disease, treat the infected, ensure essential services, preserve stability and prevent the spread to countries currently unaffected,’ Ban wrote.
(AGENCIES)
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