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US says American contracted Ebola in Congo as CDC announces new travel screening measures
TL;DR
An American contracted Ebola while working in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is being evacuated to Germany. The CDC has announced new travel screening measures for travelers from the region to protect US citizens.
Key points
- An American contracted Ebola in the DRC.
- The CDC confirmed the case and is evacuating the individual to Germany.
- Enhanced travel screening measures are being implemented for travelers from the region.
- Entry restrictions will apply to non-US passport holders from Uganda, DRC, or South Sudan.
Mentioned in this story
Democratic Republic of CongoUgandaSouth SudanCenters for Disease Control and Prevention
Ebola
US health authorities confirmed on Monday that an American has developed Ebola after being exposed during their work in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); officials also said that they are taking “proactive measures” to protect US citizens in response to the ongoing Ebola virus epidemic in the DRC and Uganda.
Officials with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the case on Monday and said the individual was being evacuated to Germany. They developed symptoms over the weekend and tested positive late Sunday, said Satish K Pillai, an incident manager for the CDC’s Ebola response in a press conference.
There are also six other people who are in the process of being evacuated, to receive treatment or monitoring, Pillai said. There are about 25 people working in the US office in DRC, and the CDC is sending another person from Atlanta, Georgia.
Based on “current epidemiological evidence, ongoing risk assessments, and the highly serious nature of EVD (Ebola virus disease)”, the CDC and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said earlier on Monday that they would introduce enhanced public health screening and monitoring for travelers arriving in the US from the region.
US entry restrictions to non-US passport holders would be enacted for travelers if they have been in Uganda, the DRC or South Sudan in the past 21 days.
Airlines, international partners and port-of-entry officials have been directed to identify and manage travelers who may have been exposed to the virus and enhanced “port health protection response activities, contact tracing, laboratory testing capacity, and hospital readiness nationwide” had been enacted.
There are 10 confirmed cases of Ebola, 336 suspected, and 88 deaths in the DRC. Among the dead are at least four health workers.
The CDC said it assessed the immediate risk to the general US public as low, “but we will continue to evaluate the evolving situation and may adjust public health measures as additional information becomes available”.
The agency further advised that anyone who has travelled through the affected countries to monitor CDC travel health notices and seek medical attention immediately if you develop symptoms consistent with Ebola.
Q&A
How did the American contract Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
The American contracted Ebola while working in the Democratic Republic of Congo, although specific details about the exposure have not been disclosed.
What new travel screening measures has the CDC announced for travelers from the DRC?
The CDC announced enhanced public health screening and monitoring for travelers arriving in the US from the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan.
What are the entry restrictions for travelers to the US from Uganda and the DRC?
Travelers who have been in Uganda, the DRC, or South Sudan in the past 21 days may face entry restrictions if they are not US passport holders.
What is the current status of the American who contracted Ebola?
The American is being evacuated to Germany for treatment after testing positive for Ebola.
