Americans may have been exposed in Congo Ebola outbreak
A small group of Americans in the Democratic Republic of Congo may have been exposed to suspected Ebola cases during a large outbreak the World Health Organization has declared a public health emergency. At least one symptomatic person may need a medical evacuation, according to two people familiar with the Trump administration’s Ebola response who spoke anonymously to discuss internal talks.
The Americans, including a family with children, were working for a nonprofit in eastern Congo. Officials are discussing several evacuation plans for the symptomatic individual, including transport to the United States for quarantine and treatment if infected.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Sunday it is helping coordinate the safe withdrawal of a small number of Americans affected by outbreaks in Congo and Uganda. The agency is also preparing to deploy personnel this week, Ebola response manager Satish K. Pillai said, though it remains unclear whether staff would come from CDC offices in Congo, Uganda or Atlanta.
The WHO declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern after more than 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths, though it said conditions for a pandemic emergency have not been met. As of Sunday, Congo reported 10 confirmed cases and 336 suspected cases, including 88 deaths. Uganda confirmed two cases linked to travelers from Congo, including one death.
Experts warn the outbreak may be harder to contain because it involves the Bundibugyo virus strain, which has no approved vaccines or treatments. Ebola spreads through contact with infected body fluids, not through the air. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, vomiting, unexplained bleeding, and more. The WHO said ongoing conflict, humanitarian conditions, population movement and informal healthcare networks are increasing the risk of spread.
