Obama to boost fight against Ebola outbreak with 3,000 led troops to Africa

President Barack Obama will announce a major military-led surge in U.S. aid to fight the Ebola epidemic in West Africa later Tuesday, with as many as 3,000 troops to help organize, train new health care workers and build treatment clinics.

The Defense Department will divert $500 million for the effort, which will include building 17 treatment centers with 100 beds apiece, dedicating 10,000 sets of personal protective equipment and distributing supplies such as disinfectant and hand sanitizer to help 400,000 families protect themselves and care for sick family members.

"The Ebola epidemic in West Africa and the humanitarian crisis there is a top national security priority for the United States," the White House said in a statement. Obama will announce details when he visits the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ebola-virus-outbreak/ebola-surge-obama-announce-military-led-fight-n204106