MOSCOW, November 19 (Sputnik) — The Ebola virus has not yet disappeared, US President Barack Obama said.
"Obviously, some of the attention on the crisis has ebbed over the last several weeks, but the challenges remain," the office of the White House's press secretary quoted Obama as saying Tuesday before his meeting with national security and public health teams on the Ebola virus.
"But as long as the outbreak continues to rage in the three countries in West Africa: Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, this is still going to be a danger— not just for America, but for the entire world," Obama added.
The US president also noted that a prompt response to Ebola is key to saving lives, as eight out of eight patients, diagnosed with Ebola and promptly treated in the United States have overcome the virus.
"We've made great progress in preparing our health care system to deal with any possible threat. Our scientists continue to make progress with vaccines and treatments, but we've got plenty of work to do," Obama stated.
He concluded by calling on Congress to work on the issue, as it is "a basic issue of the health and safety of the American people."
The Ebola virus outbreak has resulted in the deaths of over 5,000 people and more than 14,000 confirmed, probable and suspected cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).