At least six Americans exposed to Ebola in DR Congo, US media report

Reports from CBS News, the BBC's US partner, indicate that at least six Americans have been potentially exposed to the Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo. One individual is reported to be showing symptoms, while three others are identified as having had high-risk contact or exposure. The infection status of these individuals remains uncertain.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that it is facilitating the "safe withdrawal of a small number of Americans who are directly affected," although the specific number has not been disclosed.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has characterized the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo as an international emergency, with 336 suspected cases and 88 reported fatalities.

The present strain of the Ebola virus is attributed to the Bundibugyo subtype, for which there are currently no approved treatments or vaccines.

In Uganda, there are also two confirmed cases of Ebola and one associated death, according to the CDC.

The US government is reportedly working on arrangements to transport the small group of Americans in the Democratic Republic of Congo to a secure quarantine location, although details remain unverified. A source cited by health news outlet STAT has suggested that a US military base in Germany could serve as this location.

During a press conference on Sunday, CDC officials refrained from providing specific information regarding the affected US citizens but affirmed that the risk to the United States remains low.

In light of these developments, the US government has issued a Level Four travel advisory, the highest alert level, strongly advising against travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

WHO declares outbreak an international emergency

The WHO has classified the Ebola outbreak in the eastern Ituri province of DR Congo as a public health emergency of international concern. However, it has clarified that the situation does not meet the criteria necessary to be declared a pandemic.

The organization has cautioned that this outbreak has the potential to become "a much larger outbreak" than what is currently being observed, posing significant risks of local and regional transmission.

During the previous Ebola epidemic from 2014 to 2016 in West Africa, over 28,600 individuals were infected, representing the largest outbreak of the virus since its discovery in 1976. This outbreak spread to multiple countries, both within and beyond West Africa, including Guinea, Sierra Leone, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy, resulting in 11,325 fatalities.

Jean Kaseya, the director general of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, has emphasized that in the absence of vaccines and effective treatments, it is crucial for individuals to adhere to public health guidelines, particularly regarding the handling of funerals for those who succumb to the disease.

"We don't want people infected because of funerals," he stated during an interview with the BBC World Service's Newsday programme.

Community funeral practices, where individuals washed the bodies of deceased loved ones, contributed significantly to the spread of the virus during the earlier stages of the extensive outbreak over a decade ago.

The WHO has advised both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda—countries with confirmed Ebola cases—to implement cross-border screenings to mitigate the potential spread of the virus. The organization has also called on neighboring nations to enhance their preparedness and readiness, which includes surveillance efforts at health facilities and within communities.

In response to the situation, Rwanda has announced plans to strengthen border screening measures with the Democratic Republic of Congo as a preventive strategy.

What is Ebola and how does it spread?

Ebola is a rare but severe viral disease that can be fatal. There are three species of the Ebola virus responsible for outbreaks, with the current outbreak involving the Bundibugyo strain.

Historically, approximately 30% of those infected with the Bundibugyo virus have died during previous outbreaks.

The virus is transmitted between individuals through contact with infected bodily fluids, including blood and vomit.

Symptoms typically manifest between two and 21 days post-infection, beginning with nonspecific flu-like signs such as fever, headache, and fatigue. As the disease progresses, symptoms may escalate to include vomiting, diarrhea, and organ failure. Some patients may also experience internal and external bleeding.

Outbreaks are initiated when a person contracts Ebola from infected animals, such as fruit bats.

While vaccines exist for the Zaire species of Ebola, no vaccine is currently available for the Bundibugyo strain.