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US citizens exposed to Ebola in DR Congo
At least six Americans have come into contact with the Ebola virus amid a deadly outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to sources cited by CBS News and the BBC. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the outbreak as an international emergency, with the DRC's health ministry reporting approximately 350 suspected cases and 91 fatalities.
Exposure details and US response
One American is displaying symptoms of Ebola, while three others are considered high-risk due to direct exposure, sources told CBS News. It remains unclear whether any of the individuals have contracted the virus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed it is assisting in the "safe withdrawal" of affected Americans but did not specify the number involved.
A source informed health news outlet STAT that the U.S. government is arranging transport for the group to a secure quarantine facility, potentially a U.S. military base in Germany, though this has not been officially confirmed. During a Sunday press briefing, the CDC declined to address questions about the affected citizens, reiterating that the risk to the U.S. population remains low.
Outbreak severity and global concerns
The current Ebola strain, identified as the Bundibugyo virus, has no approved vaccines or treatments. Uganda has reported two confirmed cases and one death linked to the outbreak, according to the CDC. The WHO has warned that the situation in DRC's eastern Ituri province could escalate into a "much larger outbreak" with significant potential for regional spread, though it does not yet meet pandemic criteria.
"We don't want people infected because of funerals," said Jean Kaseya, director general of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, emphasizing the risks associated with traditional burial practices.
BBC World Service's Newsday programme
Regional precautions and historical context
The WHO has urged DRC and Uganda to implement cross-border screenings to prevent further transmission. Neighboring countries, including Rwanda and Nigeria, have heightened surveillance measures. Rwanda announced tighter border controls as a precaution, while Nigeria stated it is "closely monitoring the situation."
The 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa remains the deadliest on record, infecting over 28,600 people and claiming 11,325 lives across Guinea, Sierra Leone, and beyond, including cases in the U.S., U.K., and Italy.
Travel advisories and public health measures
The U.S. State Department has issued a Level Four travel advisory-the highest warning-advising against all travel to DRC. Health officials continue to stress the importance of adhering to public health guidelines, including safe funeral practices, to curb the virus's spread.
