A U.S. citizen working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo tested positive for Ebola this week, marking the second U.S. case in the current outbreak.
The individual, employed by a humanitarian organization, is under observation following the diagnosis. Health authorities are coordinating with the employer and local officials to conduct contact tracing and risk assessments.
The first U.S. case, Dr. Peter Stafford, recovered after evacuation to Germany and later returned to the U.S. after a negative test. He expressed gratitude for the care received and for the support of his family.
The outbreak remains the fastest-growing Ebola surge recorded in Africa, with over 1,800 confirmed cases and 600 deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Additional cases have emerged in neighboring Uganda.
The Bundibugyo strain lacks an approved vaccine or treatment, complicating containment efforts. Global health authorities emphasize that the risk of a worldwide spread remains low due to the virus’s nonairborne transmission.
Authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared the outbreak on May 15. In response, U.S. officials intensified health screenings for travelers and restricted entry for non-citizens from the region.
