US citizen in Congo tests positive for Ebola, CDC says

A U.S. citizen working for a humanitarian organization in Congo has tested positive for the Ebola virus, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday. The CDC is collaborating with the individual's employer, U.S. agencies, public health authorities, and Congolese partners to prevent further spread and identify close contacts.

The current Ebola outbreak in the Central African nation is the fastest-growing on record in Africa, with 1,830 confirmed cases and 648 deaths reported by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Cases have also spread to neighboring Uganda.

This situation follows an earlier case where an American doctor working in Congo contracted the virus, recovered after treatment in Germany, and returned to the United States. Efforts to establish a dedicated facility in Kenya for treating exposed Americans abroad have been suspended due to a Kenyan court order.

The Trump administration has requested $1.4 billion in supplemental funding to address the escalating outbreak. The World Health Organization noted that Congolese authorities declared a new outbreak on May 15, after the disease had been spreading undetected for weeks. The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which lacks an approved vaccine or treatment and often leads to fatal symptoms. Clinical trials for treatments have recently begun.

Compounding the health crisis, ongoing conflict in eastern Congo has displaced thousands, potentially accelerating the virus's spread. Mistrust of health workers and attacks on medical facilities further hinder response efforts. Healthcare workers often lack adequate protective gear, increasing their vulnerability.