U.S. soldiers prepare to head to Liberia this month to help in the ongoing fight against Ebola. The Pentagon announced on Sept. 30 that they anticipate landing in the West African nation by late October, according to Stars and Stripes.
The troops will be divided into groups focusing on different tasks. A team of 700 combat engineers will work to construct 17 new Ebola treatment facilities. The rest of the servicemembers will be responsible for preparation and helping African medical personnel, noted Stars and Stripes.
Ebola is transmitted through contact with infected bodily fluids. American troops will not offer medical treatment or have any contact with individuals infected by the virus, according to Military Times. Soldiers will be trained in how to protect themselves from contracting the disease before they are deployed.
Stars and Stripes noted that U.S. troops are estimated to remain in Liberia for at least six months.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this outbreak of Ebola is the largest in history and is considered an epidemic. The World Health Organization reported that there have been 3,000 deaths from the outbreak so far and nearly 7,000 people have been infected.