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The team of five doctors, 20 nurses and five trainers could
respond on short notice to help civilian medical professionals,
a statement from Rear Admiral John Kirby said.
Three cases of Ebola have been diagnosed in the United States,
prompting widespread concern about the potential spread of the
virus. A Liberian man fell ill while on a trip to Dallas, Texas,
and died on Oct. 8. Two nurses who treated him contracted the
disease.
Kirby called the team "an added, prudent measure to ensure our
nation is ready to respond quickly, effectively and safely in
the event of additional Ebola cases." He said it would consist
of critical care nurses, doctors trained in infectious diseases
and trainers in infectious disease protocols.
"They will not be sent to West Africa or elsewhere overseas and
will be called upon domestically only if deemed prudent by our
public health professionals," the statement said.
(Reporting by Phil Stewart; Editing by Jim Loney and Frances
Kerry)
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