CDC Supports Ebola Response in DRC and Uganda After Outbreak Confirmation

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has mobilized response activities following confirmation of an Ebola outbreak in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and cases in Uganda. Through existing relationships with the DRC and Uganda Ministries of Health, CDC was notified of the ongoing outbreak as soon as cases were confirmed and has been actively working to support needs.

Last night, the WHO followed this notification with a declaration of a public health emergency of international concern with regard to this epidemic of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a species of orthoebolavirus, in the DRC and Uganda.

At this time, the risk to the American public remains low.

Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person and does not spread through casual contact or air. CDC continues to closely monitor the situation and has systems in place to detect and respond rapidly to potential public health threats.

The CDC's Country Offices in the DRC and Uganda have been coordinating across the U.S. Government, Ministries of Health, other members of the USG, and international partners to support response operations, including surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, infection prevention and control, and other outbreak containment efforts.

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.

Province are logistically challenging regions in eastern DRC, with limited transportation infrastructure, difficult terrain, and ongoing security concerns that can complicate access for response teams and medical personnel. CDC has extensive experience and some of the world's foremost experts in supporting Ebola response operations in the region and remains committed to protecting global health security.