The World Health Organization has reported nearly 500 confirmed Ebola cases in Central Africa, raising concerns among global health experts. Authorities are monitoring the outbreak closely as efforts intensify to contain the spread and prevent further infections across affected regions.

As Ebola spreads in East Africa, the United States is playing a much smaller role than it has in previous outbreaks. That leaves China, an economic powerhouse with epidemic control and biotech expertise, as the next global power that could commit supplies, money and medical workers to the effort.

The World Health Organization ​chief announced a $580 million ‌six-month plan to fight Ebola on Friday, ​voicing optimism ​that the outbreak could be ⁠contained.

The international health agency notes that the outbreak does not meet the criteria for a pandemic, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that the risk to the American public is

The drop in aid assistance to combat Ebola has contributed to the spread of the latest outbreak, say doctors in the field and those with experience fighting the virus.

With a dangerous Ebola outbreak growing in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United States playing a smaller role than in past crises, attention is turning to China and whether it is willing to take on a larger global health leadership role.

Dozens of people have died and hundreds have been sickened in an Ebola outbreak centered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.