The rampant Ebola virus has killed nearly 2,500 people in West Africa.br br And in answering the Liberian government's pleas for help, U.S. President Obama has pledged to send 3,000 military engineers and medical personnel to combat the virus.br br (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA SAYING:br br "We're going to establish a military command center in Liberia to support civilian efforts across the region, similar to our response after the Haiti earthquake."br br This comes just hours after a meeting with the American man well-known for overcoming the virus -- Dr. Kent Brantly.br br He encouraged Obama to step-up the war against Ebola. And gave a fiery testimony before a Senate committee:br br (SOUNDBITE) (English) DR. KENT BRANTLY, SAYING:br br "It is a fire straight from the pit of hell. We cannot fool ourselves into thinking that the vast moat of the Atlantic Ocean will protect us from the flames of this fire.