U.S. Ebola case confirmed by CDC after infection in Congo
The CDC confirmed that one American has tested positive for Ebola after a work-related exposure in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as officials stress the risk to the United States is low.
On May 18, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that an American citizen tested positive for Ebola and contracted the disease as part of his mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The person developed symptoms over the weekend and tested positive late May 17. The CDC did not name the individuals, but the Serge Christian Missionary Organization said in a statement shared by Reuters and the organization that one of its medical missionaries, Dr. Peter Stafford, contracted the virus while treating patients at Nyankunde Hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and tested positive.
The CDC is working with the State Department to transport the American to Germany for treatment, as well as six other high-risk contacts for monitoring.
On May 17, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that the Bundibugyo virus, a type of Ebola hemorrhagic fever, had occurred, and as of May 16, at least 80 people had died in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and nearly 250 people were suspected of being infected.
Dr. Satish Pillai, incident manager for the CDC’s Ebola response, said at a May 18 press conference that “the risk to the United States remains low for the American public.” The WHO said the outbreak had not yet reached pandemic level under international health regulations.
Pillai said the CDC, the Department of Homeland Security and other relevant federal agencies are taking aggressive public health measures to prevent Ebola from entering the United States, including imposing entry restrictions on non-U.S. passport holders who have been in Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or South Sudan in the past 21 days.
“Travelers to the region should avoid contact with sick people. Report symptoms immediately and follow travel guides,” Pillai advised. There is no approved treatment or prevention for Bundibugyo virus.
“CDC is actively involved in this response and is working with domestic and international partners,” Pillai added. “Please know that we are adjusting as necessary. Everything we do is focused on the safety of those affected and Americans at home and abroad.”
