Dispatch of experts in response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West African countries

TOKYO, Japan, October 17, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- 1. The Government of Japan has decided to dispatch two experts in response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West African countries. They are scheduled to depart for the Republic of Sierra Leone on October 20. With a view to strengthening Japan's contribution of personnel also on the financial front, the Government of Japan will cover the travel expenses and other costs associated with dispatching these two experts.

2. The two experts belong to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, and are scheduled to carry out activities in Sierra Leone for approximately one month as experts participating in a World Health Organization (WHO) mission implementing Ebola virus disease response measures.

3. The Government of Japan is continuing consultations with the WHO on dispatching Japanese experts to countries affected by the Ebola virus disease, and is considering to implement successive dispatches based on those consultations.