US President Donald Trump has expressed his apprehension regarding the Ebola outbreak as America bars travellers from several countries from entering during an epidemic of the lethal virus. When asked by a journalist whether he was concerned about the virus, Trump responded: '[I] certainly am.' Trump continued, 'I think that it's been confined right now to Africa, but it's something that has had a breakout.'
Anyone possessing a US passport who has travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within the previous three weeks is banned from entering the United States of America. The measure will stay in effect for at least 30 days, according to an order issued by the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday.
Ebola is a highly contagious disease spread through contact with bodily fluids. It often causes fatal haemorrhagic fever, rapid multi-organ failure and internal or external bleeding. Over 100 individuals have perished and nearly 400 suspected cases have been recorded in the DRC since the outbreak was officially declared on Saturday. Two imported cases were identified in neighbouring Uganda and the World Health Organization (WHO) has since designated the epidemic a global health emergency.
The US travel measure technically breaches International Health Regulations (IHR), a legally binding set of protocols established by the WHO. Washington announced it would no longer adhere to these protocols following its departure from the WHO in January. Under the regulations, countries are forbidden from introducing health measures that 'significantly interfere with international traffic' without scientific justification.
At least six Americans are reported to have been exposed to Ebola. Health authorities are currently considering evacuating them for quarantine at a US military facility in Germany. An American missionary doctor became the first confirmed US Ebola case; the medic was exposed to the virus in the DRC and is currently being evacuated to Germany for treatment. A further US patient is reportedly displaying symptoms, while three others are believed to have had 'high-risk' contact with infected individuals.
The CDC confirmed it was working alongside US officials 'who are actively coordinating the safe withdrawal of a small number of Americans who are directly affected by this outbreak'. The ongoing outbreak has been identified as the uncommon Bundibugyo strain, for which there is currently neither an approved vaccine nor an established treatment. Following Trump's comments, an official confirmed that there are presently no cases of Ebola on American soil.
