MATTHEW LEE
AP Diplomatic Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry made an urgent plea Wednesday for nations to step up their response to the outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus, saying more money, equipment and personnel are needed now.

In an impassioned appeal, Kerry said progress against the disease was being made, but far too slowly, and that the world is not where it needs to be in stemming Ebola’s spread.

“While we are making progress, we are not where we can say that we need to be, and there are additional needs that have to be met in order for the global community to be able to properly respond to this challenge — and to make sure that we protect people in all of our countries,” Kerry said.

“We need people to step up now,” he said. “Now is the time for action, not words. And frankly, there is not a moment to waste in this effort.”

Speaking with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, Kerry added that it is essential for airlines to keep flying to West Africa and for borders to remain open to allow for the movement of assistance and medical staff. His comments came shortly after the first patient diagnosed with Ebola in the United States died at a Dallas hospital.

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