Ebola Bundibugyo Outbreak Spreads in DRC and Uganda; U.S. Screens at Major Airports
The CDC is responding to an ongoing Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in remote areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The U.S. has implemented enhanced screening at major airports and travel restrictions to prevent the virus from entering the country, though no U.S. cases have been confirmed.
Outbreak Scope and Scale
CDC is responding to an outbreak of Ebola disease in remote areas of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. On May 17, an American who was exposed as part of work caring for patients in DRC tested positive for Ebola disease caused by infection with the Bundibugyo virus. The Ebola disease outbreak in DRC has been confirmed in Ituri, Nord-Kivu, and Sud-Kivu provinces. Cases related to the DRC outbreak also have been reported in Uganda's capital of Kampala.
U.S. Response and Travel Measures
On May 18, CDC and DHS announced enhanced travel screening, entry restrictions, and public health measures to prevent Ebola disease from entering the United States amid outbreaks in East and Central Africa. Affected air passengers from DRC, South Sudan, and Uganda will have their air travel re-routed to arrive at Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Risk Assessment
To date, no cases of Ebola disease have been confirmed in the United States because of this outbreak. The overall risk to the American public and travelers remains low. However, officials continue to monitor the situation closely as cases evolve in affected regions.
Containment Efforts
Continuing deployment of CDC personnel to support outbreak containment efforts in affected regions. CDC is coordinating patient management, specimen collection, and BVD testing with state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments, CDC, and clinical teams. CDC is also supporting U.S. Government interagency efforts to coordinate the safe withdrawal of a small number of Americans who are directly affected in outbreak areas.