American tests positive for Ebola after exposure in Democratic Republic of Congo

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed May 18 that one American has tested positive for Ebola who was exposed as part of their work in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The individual developed symptoms over the weekend and tested positive late Sunday, May 17. The CDC is working with the Department of State to move the American to Germany for treatment, along with six other high-risk contacts for monitoring.

On May 17, World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced the outbreak of the Bundibugyo virus, a species of Ebola, that has killed at least 80 people with nearly 250 suspected cases in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as of May 16.

"To the American public, the risk to the United States remains low," Dr. Satish Pillai, the incident manager for the agency's Ebola response, told reporters on a May 18 media briefing. The WHO said the spread doesn't yet meet pandemic levels under international health regulations. 

The CDC, the Department of Homeland Security and other relevant federal agencies are taking proactive public health measures to prevent Ebola from entering the United States, Pillai said, including putting entry restrictions on non-U.S. passport holders if they have been in Uganda, the DRC or South Sudan in the previous 21 days.

"Travelers to the region should avoid contact with sick people. Report symptoms immediately and follow our travel guidance," Pillai advised. There are no approved therapeutics or preventive prophylactic measures for Bundibugyo virus.

"CDC is actively involved in this response, and we're working across domestic and international partners," Pillai added. "Please know that we are adjusting as we need to. Everything we do is focused on the people affected and the security of Americans here and abroad."