The United Kingdom will be sending over 750 military troops to Sierra Leone in West Africa next week to increase efforts in tackling the deadly Ebola outbreak.

In addition, UK will also be sending three Merlin helicopters and a medical ship, the RFA Argus, to the Ebola stricken country.

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During an emergency Cobra meeting of the British government, Defense secretary Michael Fallon explained that since the Ebola outbreak in West Africa has now become a global threat, the United Kingdom must increase its efforts to contain the epidemic.

Everyone must contribute and do their part in order to help combat the further spread of the virus and prevent the "crisis from turning into a catastrophe," according to Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond.

Hammond's announcement came after Thomas Eric Duncan, the first patient in the United States to test positive to Ebola, died from the virus Wednesday.

The epidemic has already killed 3,879 people in West Africa, and the highest death toll were in the countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, based on the latest reports.

At present, there are about 8,000 people who are infected with the virus.

During a joint media conference with John Kerry, Secretary of State of the United States, Hammond shared the plans of Britain regarding its role in tackling the outbreak.

Hammond said the U.S. and the UK will both send medical staff, logistics experts and engineers to Sierra Leone. The deployed teams will build Ebola clinics and a health training center run by the World Health Organization in the country.

Over the course of the next six months, the U.S. and the UK's efforts are expected to treat about 9,000 patients.

Kerry also urged Western countries to increase efforts to combat the outbreak, saying that there is "not a moment to waste."

"Now is the time for actions, not words," he added.

Meanwhile, to prevent further Ebola-related deaths, the U.S. has increased its screening protocol at its international airports, while Britain has several hospitals that are prepared to handle Ebola cases should the virus reach the country.

TagsUK, what is ebola, Sierra Leone, Ebola outbreak, West Africa