Americans in Congo feared exposed to deadly Ebola outbreak

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U.S. health authorities are mobilizing a response to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supporting the withdrawal of a small number of directly affected Americans.

The World Health Organization has declared the escalating situation a public health emergency of international concern, following 80 suspected deaths.

The CDC confirmed its involvement, stating: “CDC is also supporting interagency partners who are actively coordinating the safe withdrawal of a small number of Americans who are directly affected by this outbreak.”

A colourised transmission electron micrograph file image made available by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows an Ebola virus virion (AP)

This comes as a U.S.-based health news outlet, STAT News, reported that several Americans currently in the DRC are believed to have been exposed to suspected cases in the country’s latest Ebola outbreak.

Some are deemed to have had high-risk exposures, with one individual potentially developing symptoms.

While no test results are yet available for these individuals, the U.S. government is reportedly working to arrange their transfer out of the DRC to a location where they can be safely quarantined and treated if infected, according to the STAT report.

A staff member of the CBCA Virunga Hospital checks a visitor's temperature using a a contactless infrared thermometer, before allowing her access to the hospital in Goma on May 17 — A staff member of the CBCA Virunga Hospital checks a visitor’s temperature using a a contactless infrared thermometer, before allowing her access to the hospital in Goma on May 17 (AFP/Getty)

The CDC has yet to comment on the affair.

CDC officials announced on Sunday that the agency has activated its emergency response center for the outbreak and plans to deploy more personnel to its offices in the DRC and Uganda.

Satish Pillai, the CDC Ebola response incident manager, declined to confirm if any Americans were among those infected but emphasized that the risk to the U.S. remains low.

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