After reports that Ebola cases have not been falling down in Sierra Leone compared to neighboring Liberia, there were calls for more help to be geared towards the former. The head of the British taskforce present in Sierra Leone, Donal Brown, said it was not necessary for the U.S military in Liberia to come to their aid in the neighboring country but added that they need very specific niche support.
Sierra Leone accounts for more than 50% of the registered 18,000 Ebola cases reported since the virus first emerged a year ago from the Guinean forest. Brown is optimistic that the numbers will soon begin to fall by mid next month because they are now in possession of the pieces they need to fight the disease.
There are 3,000 American troops in Liberia and there have been suggestions that they could help the almost 800 British soldiers in Sierra Leone fight against the disease because the Sierra Leonean government is becoming impatient claiming that progress is being made slowly. The British military has opened six Ebola treatment centers since early November. Brown said there was no need for U.S. military support.
Britain is however soliciting support from the World Health Organization to increase case surveillance in rural areas while it also considering how Washington might provide more foreign health workers and assist in the building of additional laboratories for Ebola testing.
Justine Greening, Britain’s International Development Secretary who is on a visit to the capital Freetown said efforts had to be made to avoid sporadic outbreaks.
Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone have been badly affected by the deadly virus that has also driven fears into many around the globe.