The Obama administration is preparing to send 3,000 US troops to West Africa to combat the Ebola crisis that has overwhelmed local health care systems.

The military personnel will supply medical and logistical support and boost the number of beds needed to isolate and treat victims of the epidemic.

President Barack Obama plans to announce the stepped-up effort today at the federal centres for disease control and prevention in Atlanta.

Administration officials said the new push includes efforts to train as many as 500 health care workers a week and to build 17 heath care facilities with around 100 beds each.

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