Queen Fears Ebola Push at Expense of Other Killer Diseases

LONDON — -- Britain's Queen Elizabeth rarely voices her opinion on social issues, but she has publicly worried that all the attention being given to Ebola was at the expense of other killer diseases, like malaria.

The queen reportedly made her comments Tuesday while speaking with David Heymann, a professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She told Heymann that her doctor informed her there were more people dying from malaria every week than are dying from Ebola, according to Press Association.

"She was afraid that malaria will have a comeback because of the fact people are not paying enough attention to it," Heymann later said.

The professor described the queen as "very perceptive," but added this should not detract attention from Ebola.

"It's a very terrible disease," Heyman said, but what "the queen has done is call attention to other infectious diseases."

The palace told ABC News the queen believes that while the response to the disease which has claimed more than 5,000 lives is essential and critical, it should not be to the detriment of fighting other deadly diseases. The queen was accompanied by Prince Philip on Tuesday making the remarks while visiting Chatham House to launch a new leadership academy and unveiling a plaque to mark the occasion.

Her concerns come on the heels of another royal whose made headlines about the disease recently. Prince William recorded an emotional and poignant video message saying. "I’ve been watching with great concern what’s been happening in West Africa due to Ebola." In the video which was recorded at Kensington Palace, the prince said, "I wanted to take time to add my name to this video by Future View called Ebola is Real. It’s an educational piece that will keep you guys safe on how to treat and prevent the spread of Ebola."

“Stay safe," the prince told people living in area hard hit by Ebola. "The world is thinking of you."