National governments and health organizations around the world are scrambling to overcome lapses in leadership and logistical issues to turn around a worsening Ebola crisis in West Africa. According to one aid expert, relief efforts are roughly four months behind schedule.
“Where we are today is probably where we should have been in May,” Ken Isaacs, a vice president at aid organization Samaritan's Purse and former director of foreign disaster assistance at the U.S. Agency for International Development, told The Washington Post.
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The World Health Organization said last month that a dramatically increasing infection rate may hit 20,000 people in the hardest-hit nations of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria before the outbreak gets under control, The New York Times reported. The total number of cases -- which recently surpassed 4,000 -- has more than doubled since early August, as reflected in the data below:
Isaacs said the United Nations' approach to combating the disease -- its officials are assisting national governments of devastated regions to manage the outbreak -- is a flawed strategy: "Why would the world allow what is potentially a global epidemic to be managed by three of the poorest countries in the world?"
But what Isaacs may consider weak strategy is just one factor adding to the slow pace of relief. Poor planning has delayed American and British humanitarian operations, the outbreak hasn't garnered global empathy similarly to that of the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia or the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, and some believe the failures of western media to accurately portray the situation is affecting how those in developed nations are viewing the crisis.
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In a New York Times opinion column, Silas Kpanan'Ayoung Siakor and Nora Bowier of the Sustainable Development Institute wrote that reports about the outbreak are fueling misperceptions:
Though the risks to the West posed by Ebola are minimal, Western media have fanned irrational fears, fueling panic about the spread of the virus to Europe and North America rather than calling for international assistance to combat the crisis in West Africa. The Western press blames superstition, myths and ignorance for the virus’ spread through the region -- not the fact that West African facilities are inadequate and overwhelmed; government finances are already stretched to capacity; there is widespread corruption and poor coordination among government agencies; and the international response has been pitiful.
While media influence, strategy failures and poor planning may be playing roles in aid shortcomings, Dr. Steve Monroe of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told the Associated Press that the biggest barrier in containing the virus in infected areas is a "critical shortage" of trained health professionals. President Obama is traveling to Atlanta on Tuesday to discuss the outbreak with CDC officials and deliberate further action from the federal government -- including the possibility of military involvement -- on top of the $100 million already allocated toward fighting the virus.
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MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Liberian security forces, part of the country's Ebola Task Force, enforce a quarantine on the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The quarantine of West Point, a congested favella of 75,000 people, began Wednesday, as the government tries to stop the spread of the virus in the capital city. A mob overran and closed an Ebola isolation ward there on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
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Liberia security forces patrol in the West Point area, as the government clamps down on the movement of people to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in Monrovia, Liberia, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014. Security forces deployed Wednesday to enforce a quarantine around a slum in the Liberian capital, stepping up the governmentâs fight to stop the spread of Ebola and unnerving residents. (AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh)
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Liberia security forces blockade an area around the West Point Ebola center as the government clamps down on the movement of people to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in the city of Monrovia, Liberia, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014. Security forces deployed Wednesday to enforce a quarantine around a slum in the Liberian capital, stepping up the governmentâs fight to stop the spread of Ebola and unnerving residents. (AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh)
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Liberian security officers dressed in riot gear, right, control a crowed of people in the West Point area, as the government clamps down on the movement of people to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in Monrovia, Liberia, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014. Security forces deployed Wednesday to enforce a quarantine around a slum in the Liberian capital, stepping up the governmentâs fight to stop the spread of Ebola and unnerving residents. (AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh)
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Liberia security forces, blockade an area around the West Point Ebola center as the government clamps down on the movement of people to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in city Monrovia, Liberia, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014. Security forces deployed Wednesday to enforce a quarantine around a slum in the Liberian capital, stepping up the governmentâs fight to stop the spread of Ebola and unnerving residents. (AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Liberia security forces in riot gear, blockade an area near the West Point Ebola center as the government clamps down on the movement of people to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in the city of Monrovia, Liberia, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014. Security forces deployed Wednesday to enforce a quarantine around a slum in the Liberian capital, stepping up the governmentâs fight to stop the spread of Ebola and unnerving residents.(AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh)
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John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Liberian security forces, part of the country's Ebola Task Force, enforce a quarantine on the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The quarantine of West Point, a congested favella of 75,000 people, began Wednesday, as the government tries to stop the spread of the virus in the capital city. A mob overran and closed an Ebola isolation ward there on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Liberian security forces, part of the country's Ebola Task Force, enforce a quarantine on the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The quarantine of West Point, a congested favella of 75,000 people, began Wednesday, as the government tries to stop the spread of the virus in the capital city. A mob overran and closed an Ebola isolation ward there on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Liberian security forces, part of the country's Ebola Task Force, enforce a quarantine on the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The quarantine of West Point, a congested favella of 75,000 people, began Wednesday, as the government tries to stop the spread of the virus in the capital city. A mob overran and closed an Ebola isolation ward there on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
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John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Liberian riot policemen enforce a quarantine on the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The quarantine of West Point, a congested favella of 75,000 people, began Wednesday, as the government tries to stop the spread of the virus in the capital city. A mob overran and closed an Ebola isolation ward there on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Liberian security forces, part of the country's Ebola Task Force, enforce a quarantine on the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The quarantine of West Point, a congested favella of 75,000 people, began Wednesday, as the government tries to stop the spread of the virus in the capital city. A mob overran and closed an Ebola isolation ward there on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Members of Liberia's Ebola Task Force enforce a quarantine on the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The military began enforcing a quarantine on West Point, a congested favela of 75,000, fearing a spread of the Ebola epidemic in the capital city. Liberian soldiers were also sent in to extract West Point Commissioner Miata Flowers and her family members after residents blamed the government for setting up a holding center for suspected Ebola patients in their community. A mob overran and closed the facility on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
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John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Members of Liberia's Ebola Task Force enforce a quarantine on the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The military began enforcing a quarantine on West Point, a congested favela of 75,000, fearing a spread of the Ebola epidemic in the capital city. Liberian soldiers were also sent in to extract West Point Commissioner Miata Flowers and her family members after residents blamed the government for setting up a holding center for suspected Ebola patients in their community. A mob overran and closed the facility on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Family members of West Point district commissioner Miata Flowers flee the slum while being escorted by the Ebola Task Force on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The military was called in to extract the commissioner and her family members from the seaside slum after residents blamed the government for setting up a holding center for suspected Ebola patients in their community. A mob overran and closed the facility on August 16. The military also began enforcing a quarrantine on West Point, a congested slum of 75,000, fearing a spread of the epidemic. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Local residents protest as Liberia's Ebola Task Force enforce a quarantine on the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The military began enforcing a quarantine on West Point, a congested favela of 75,000, fearing a spread of the Ebola epidemic in the capital city. Liberian soldiers were also sent in to extract West Point Commissioner Miata Flowers and her family members after residents blamed the government for setting up a holding center for suspected Ebola patients in their community. A mob overran and closed the facility on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
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John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Members of Liberia's Ebola Task Force enforce a quarantine on the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The military began enforcing a quarantine on West Point, a congested favela of 75,000, fearing a spread of the Ebola epidemic in the capital city. Liberian soldiers were also sent in to extract West Point Commissioner Miata Flowers and her family members after residents blamed the government for setting up a holding center for suspected Ebola patients in their community. A mob overran and closed the facility on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Members of Liberia's Ebola Task Force enforce a quarantine on the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The military began enforcing a quarantine on West Point, a congested favela of 75,000, fearing a spread of the Ebola epidemic in the capital city. Liberian soldiers were also sent in to extract West Point Commissioner Miata Flowers and her family members after residents blamed the government for setting up a holding center for suspected Ebola patients in their community. A mob overran and closed the facility on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Members of Liberia's Ebola Task Force enforce a quarantine on the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The government ordered the quarantine of West Point, a congested seaside town of 75,000, on Wednesday, in an effort to stop the spread of the virus in the capital city. Liberian soldiers were also sent in to extract West Point Commissioner Miata Flowers and her family members after residents blamed the government for allowing a holding center for suspected Ebola patients to be set up in their community. A mob overran and closed the facility on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
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People gather as Liberian security forces walk past in the West Point area, as the government clamps down on the movement of people to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in Monrovia, Liberia, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014. Security forces deployed Wednesday to enforce a quarantine around a slum in the Liberian capital, stepping up the governmentâs fight to stop the spread of Ebola and unnerving residents. (AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Liberia security forces dressed in riot gear, left, control a crowd of people in the West Point area, as the government clamps down on the movement of people to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in Monrovia, Liberia, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014. Security forces deployed Wednesday to enforce a quarantine around a slum in the Liberian capital, stepping up the governmentâs fight to stop the spread of Ebola and unnerving residents. (AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A Liberian security officer patrols in the West Point area, as the government clamps down on the movement of people to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in Monrovia, Liberia, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014. Security forces deployed Wednesday to enforce a quarantine around a slum in the Liberian capital, stepping up the governmentâs fight to stop the spread of Ebola and unnerving residents. (AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh)
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Liberian soldiers patrol in the West Point area as the government clamps down on the movement of people to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in Monrovia, Liberia, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014. Security forces deployed Wednesday to enforce a quarantine around a slum in the Liberian capital, stepping up the governmentâs fight to stop the spread of Ebola and unnerving residents. (AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Residents from an area close to the West Point Ebola center, protest as they are not allowed to enter the area leading to their homes, after Liberia security forces blocked roads, as the government clamps down on the movement of people to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in the city of Monrovia, Liberia, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2014. Security forces deployed Wednesday to enforce a quarantine around a slum in the Liberian capital, stepping up the governmentâs fight to stop the spread of Ebola and unnerving residents.(AP Photo/Abbas Dulleh)
John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Liberia's police chief Clanence Massaquoi (3L) speaks to residents of the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. A quarantine of West Point, a congested favella of 75,000 people, began Wednesday, as the government tries to stop the spread of the virus in the capital city. A mob overran and closed an Ebola isolation ward there on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
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John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Liberian security forces, part of the country's Ebola Task Force, enforce a quarantine on the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The quarantine of West Point, a congested favella of 75,000 people, began Wednesday, as the government tries to stop the spread of the virus in the capital city. A mob overran and closed an Ebola isolation ward there on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Residents watch as Liberian security forces, part of the country's Ebola Task Force, enforce a quarantine on the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The quarantine of West Point, a congested favella of 75,000 people, began Wednesday, as the government tries to stop the spread of the virus in the capital city. A mob overran and closed an Ebola isolation ward there on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Residents watch as Liberian security forces, part of the country's Ebola Task Force, enforce a quarantine on the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The quarantine of West Point, a congested favella of 75,000 people, began Wednesday, as the government tries to stop the spread of the virus in the capital city. A mob overran and closed an Ebola isolation ward there on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
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John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Members of Liberia's Ebola Task Force enforce a quarantine on the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The military began enforcing a quarantine on West Point, a congested favela of 75,000, fearing a spread of the Ebola epidemic in the capital city. Liberian soldiers were also sent in to extract West Point Commissioner Miata Flowers and her family members after residents blamed the government for setting up a holding center for suspected Ebola patients in their community. A mob overran and closed the facility on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Members of Liberia's Ebola Task Force enforce a quarantine on the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The government ordered the quarantine of West Point, a congested seaside town of 75,000, on Wednesday, in an effort to stop the spread of the virus in the capital city. Liberian soldiers were also sent in to extract West Point Commissioner Miata Flowers and her family members after residents blamed the government for allowing a holding center for suspected Ebola patients to be set up in their community. A mob overran and closed the facility on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Members of Liberia's Ebola Task Force ride in the back of a pickup as they enforce a quarantine on the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The military began enforcing a quarantine on West Point, a congested favela of 75,000, fearing a spread of the Ebola epidemic in the capital city. Liberian soldiers were also sent in to extract West Point Commissioner Miata Flowers and her family members after residents blamed the government for setting up a holding center for suspected Ebola patients in their community. A mob overran and closed the facility on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)
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John Moore via Getty Images
MONROVIA, LIBERIA - AUGUST 20: Local residents protest as Liberia's Ebola Task Force enforce a quarantine on the West Point slum on August 20, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. The military began enforcing a quarantine on West Point, a congested favela of 75,000, fearing a spread of the Ebola epidemic in the capital city. Liberian soldiers were also sent in to extract West Point Commissioner Miata Flowers and her family members after residents blamed the government for setting up a holding center for suspected Ebola patients in their community. A mob overran and closed the facility on August 16. The Ebola virus has killed more than 1,200 people in four African nations, more in Liberia than any other country. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)