The U.S. is devoting a great deal of attention to Ebola, due to its upcoming mid-term elections, its emotional Afro-American connections, and its interests in the biochemistry field. In addition, it provides an opportunity to promote America's international image.

Why is the U.S. response to Ebola so keen? Based on my observations in the Africa, the following may be the possible explanations.

Firstly, the mid-term elections are approaching, and Obama is trying to score "political points". Since the outbreak of Ebola, there have been one death and two confirmed cases of infection in the U.S., which have exposed flaws in the U.S. government and the healthcare system. The Republicans have criticized Obama's ineffective response.

Surveys show that two-thirds of Americans are worried about a large-scale outbreak of Ebola in the U.S. Since the mid-term elections are going to be held on November 4, "political posturing" around the subject of Ebola has become a new battleground between the two parties.

Secondly, the U.S. has ongoing emotional connections with Africa. At present, African Americans make up 13 percent of the total population in the U.S. They have relatives in Africa. Liberia was established following the liberation of slaves from the U.S. This is the location of the most serious epidemic area, where more than half of death cases occurred.

Thirdly, the U.S. intends to control the biochemical field and enhance its resilience against any potential biohazard. The U.S. Department of Defense has been more active than the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in its response to Ebola. Its experts are trying to understand the virus and find ways to cope with it. Even if they cannot control the virus, if some agency - be it "rogue state" or terrorist - attacks the U.S. with it, at least they will not be at loss to respond.

The U.S. response to Ebola is also a direct manifestation of its "world police" mindset. This is an opportunity for the U.S. to display its "leadership". To a certain extent, sending troops to another country to help a "weak brother" cope with Ebola can provide a vivid patriotic pageant for its citizens, and improve its public image around the world.

This article was edited and translated from 《应对埃博拉，美国为何如此上心》,source: The Beijing News, Author: Liu Jiexi, a scholar.