TheCable

The United States has announced its decision to withdraw the troops it deployed to West Africa to help contain the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD).

In the thick of the the Ebola crisis in September 2014, US sent 2,800 military personnel to assist the international agencies that were on the continent to tackle the virus, which has led to the death of nearly 10,000 lives.

But John Kirby, press secretary of Pentagon, has now revealed that by April 30, only 100 troops would be left to continue with the mission.

“At the height of the epidemic, there were 2,800 DoD personnel deployed to West Africa,” he said in a statement.

“Given the success of the US response to the crisis, the majority of DoD personnel in West Africa will now return home. Today, around 1,500 of them are already back to their duty stations and nearly all will return by April 30.

“To support the 10,000 civilian responders that remain on the ground in West Africa, the department of defence will leave behind important assets that can help health workers stem potential outbreaks in the future.

“In addition, DoD will identify 100 personnel who will maintain a continued presence in the region working to strengthen the disease preparedness and surveillance capacity of the national governments.”

However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed new Ebola cases in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the most affected countries.