AU deploys military medics in W’Africa over Ebola

The African Union Commission is to deploy a joint military medical personnel and civilian humanitarian mission to tackle the Ebola virus outbreak in parts of West Africa.

A statement on Friday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, by the Commission said its Peace and Security Council mandated the action to tackle the situation in the affected West African nations.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Nigeria are currently affected by the Ebola virus.

According to the statement, the mission will comprise medical doctors, nurses and other medical and paramedical personnel, and will run for six months with monthly rotation of volunteers.

“The operation will cost more than 25 million dollars and the US government and other partners have pledged to support the AU with a substantial part of this amount.

“The operation aims at filling the existing gap in international efforts and will work with WHO, OCHA, US CDC, EU CDC and others agencies already on the ground,”it said.

According to WHO, more than 1,300 people have died from the Ebola virus in outbreaks reported in the four countries.

NAN reports that Burundi currently chairs the council for the month of August.