US to end anti-Ebola mission in W.Africa: Pentagon

WASHINGTON -- Most of the US military personnel deployed in West Africa in response to Ebola outbreak will go home by April 30, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

"Over the past several months, the Department of Defense delivered critical life-saving resources, constructed Ebola Treatment Units, trained hundreds of local and international healthcare workers, and provided logistical support to humanitarian and public health workers who provided care throughout West Africa," Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said in a statement.

At the height of the epidemic, 2,800 US military personnel were deployed to West Africa. "Given the success of the US response to the crisis, the majority of DOD personnel in West Africa will now return home," Kirby said.

Today, around 1,500 of them are already back to their duty stations and nearly all will return by April 30, he said, adding that as the personnel return they will be quarantined and monitored for Ebola.

After April 30, the US will still leave behind about 100 defense employees to continue to support the effort against Ebola, according to the official. "They will build on a strong military partnership with the Armed Forces of Liberia to enhance their Ebola response efforts."

In addition, the US will leave behind important assets that can help health workers stem potential outbreaks in the future, the official added.