U.S. Citizen Working in Congo Tests Positive for Ebola

A U.S. citizen working for a humanitarian organization in the Democratic Republic of Congo has tested positive for the Ebola virus, specifically the Bundibugyo strain, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC stated it is actively working with the patient's employer, other U.S. federal agencies, and public health authorities in the DRC to curb further transmission. Their efforts include supporting contact tracing and conducting risk assessments to identify individuals who may have been exposed.

While the CDC has not released further details about the U.S. citizen, reports indicate the individual worked for Samaritan's Purse, a disaster relief organization. A spokesperson for the group confirmed the worker has been in isolation since last Monday and is receiving care at one of the organization's Ebola treatment centers in Ituri.

This case marks the second American to contract the virus during the current outbreak, which the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has identified as the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak ever recorded on the continent. The outbreak has resulted in 1,830 confirmed cases and 648 deaths in Congo, with cases also reported in Uganda.

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is aware of a U.S. citizen who tested positive for Bundibugyo virus and that it is working with the patient’s employing organization, other U.S. federal agencies, public health authorities and partners in DRC “to help prevent further transmission by supporting contact tracing and performing risk assessments to identify high-risk contacts.”