Secretary of State John Kerry has paid a rare US compliment to Cuba, acknowledging the communist island nation's role in the global fight against Ebola in West Africa.
"Already we are seeing nations large and small stepping up in impressive ways to make a contribution on the frontlines," Kerry told foreign diplomats in Washington on Friday as he pleaded for a greater mobilisation against the epidemic.
"Cuba, a country of just 11 million people, has sent 165 health professionals and it plans to send nearly 300 more."
The US government rarely speaks of Cuba in friendly terms, and the two nations have been at odds for more than half a century.
Havana and Washington have not had formal diplomatic ties since 1961 and the United States maintains comprehensive economic sanctions against Cuba.
In all, Cuba's medical contingent in West Africa is expected to reach more than 461.
"There is no country that is exempt from being able to do something to be able to contribute to this effort and help make a difference," Kerry said.
"Everything we do depends on how we coordinate our efforts as partners and how we contribute together."
Kerry thanked France and Britain for their response and acknowledged contributions from Germany, the European Union, the African Union, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
The United States is sending 4000 soldiers to West Africa to help in the fight against the epidemic and it has allocated $US1 billion ($A1.08 billion) to the military.
"We are using every instrument of American power in order to try to get this job done," Kerry said.
The US has recently relaxed travel rules to Cuba but it maintains a hard line against the country located 145km off the Florida coast.
