The United States and the World Health Organization are behind the curve on an Ebola outbreak that is becoming epidemic in western Africa and threatens the rest of the world — especially if the deadly virus ever becomes airborne, a health policy analyst told
Newsmax TV on Monday.
"Can we tamp it down and make sure it doesn't reach the rest of Africa, Europe and the U.S.? It's still possible to control it, but it is out of control in western Africa," Tevi Troy, a writer and senior fellow covering healthcare and domestic policy at the Hudson Institute, told "MidPoint" host Ed Berliner.
Story continues below video.
Note: Watch Newsmax TV now on DIRECTV Ch. 349 and DISH Ch. 223
Get Newsmax TV on your cable system – Click Here Now
The estimated $250 million that President Barack Obama wants to direct toward anti-Ebola efforts is needed, as is U.S. leadership in what should be a worldwide response to the disease, although the mobilization comes "a little late," said Troy.
"Once these viruses get out of control, they are hard to contain," he said.
Troy also faulted the World Health Organization for not having its "eye on the ball."
He said that while WHO was putting resources behind a big push this summer against electronic cigarettes, Ebola was spreading in western Africa, where it has now killed 2,400 people in a handful of countries, including Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The outbreak demonstrates that even after similar crises, such as Mexico's 2009 swine-flu epidemic, the need still exists for better systems of preventive disease surveillance and detection, said Troy.
The private sector may need to supply some of the new technologies that will make these advances possible, he said.
But governments and public-sector groups must take charge of the overall campaign against Ebola, Troy said.
"It's good that the U.S. is getting involved, but the U.S. can't be the only one involved," said Troy. "I'd like to see the World Health Organization step up a little bit more on this, and other African nations perhaps participating."
"We do need people who can be in field hospitals, in burial details, and people with appropriate gear to protect themselves."
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.