Obama speaks to troops fighting Ebola

President Obama praised U.S. military personnel for their work fighting Ebola in West Africa, saying the campaign is showing signs of progress in Liberia.

Obama held a call with servicemembers in Liberia and Senegal on Saturday to express the administration’s gratitude for their work.

{mosads}Thousands of troops are helping to stand up medical infrastructure in West Africa, where Ebola has killed nearly 5,000 people and sickened nearly 14,000.

“The President underscored that the civilian-led, whole of government strategy to tackle Ebola on the frontlines is the most effective way to prevent further spread of the disease and protect the American people from additional cases at home,” the White House said in a readout of the call.

The World Health Organization said this week that the Ebola epidemic may be slowing in Liberia, where there are empty beds in many treatment units.

Obama administration officials are still pushing countries around the world to increase their response to the outbreak.