US health authorities have confirmed that an American has contracted Ebola after exposure while working in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The individual, who developed symptoms over the weekend and tested positive late Sunday, is being evacuated to Germany for treatment, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
In response, the CDC and the Department of Homeland Security announced enhanced travel screening and monitoring for passengers arriving from the region. Non-US passport holders who have been in Uganda, the DRC or South Sudan in the past 21 days will face entry restrictions. Airlines and port officials have been directed to identify and manage potentially exposed travellers, with increased surveillance, contact tracing and laboratory testing nationwide.
The CDC assessed the immediate risk to the general US public as low, but said it would adjust measures as needed. The restrictions will last for an initial 30 days. The agency also advised anyone who has travelled through affected countries to monitor health notices and seek medical attention if symptoms develop.
The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation on Sunday. There are 10 confirmed cases, 336 suspected and 88 deaths in the DRC, including at least four health workers. The outbreak is in the country's north-eastern Ituri province, near Uganda, South Sudan and Rwanda.
This is only the third time the Bundibugyo strain has been detected, with previous outbreaks in 2007 and 2012. It has a mortality rate of 25 to 50 per cent and no targeted vaccine or treatment. The CDC said it was supporting the safe withdrawal of a small number of affected Americans.
