DENVER — A firm message from President Obama regarding how the U.S. should continue to approach the Ebola crisis in West Africa, “If we are not dealing with the problem there it will come here.”

Flanked by medical workers from the front lines of the fight against the virus, the president insisted on support for U.S.  leadership in a challenge facing the entire world saying, “when we need to step up and do the right thing we do the right thing. That’s who we are, that’s what we do.”

The World Health Organization reports that nearly half of the 10,000 infected by the virus in West Africa have died.

Dedicated aid workers and the U.S. military are making a difference in stopping the spread of the disease.  Nigeria and Senegal are now Ebola free.

Obama didn’t directly address controversy over strict quarantine rules for medical workers.

Nurse Kaci Hickox,  not allowed to leave her home in the state of Maine, is threatening to sue for her freedom.  She was initially quarantined in New Jersey and isn`t showing any symptoms.

The president has met with military leaders about policies affecting soldiers coming from nations affected by Ebola.  He says doctors, engineers, soldiers and all other aid workers are performing a selfless act by helping to fight Ebola. “They make huge sacrifices to protect this country we love and when they come home they deserve to be treated with respect.”

President Obama says the best way to protect Amercians is to stop the Ebola outbreak at its source and reminds Americans that this is a time for compassion, and not panic, “Our medical system is better prepared for any additional cases and will continue to work with hospital and other agencies to improve that preparedness every single day.”

Infectious disease experts say we are likely see other Ebola cases for as long as the virus exists in the world but a massive outbreak in the United States is highly unlikely.