The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced on July 11 that a U.S. citizen working for a humanitarian organization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has tested positive for Bundibugyo virus, a type of Ebola. The CDC said it is collaborating with the patient’s employing organization, other U.S. federal agencies, public health authorities, and partners in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to help prevent further transmission.
The agency reported that efforts include supporting contact tracing and performing risk assessments to identify high-risk contacts. These measures are intended to limit potential spread of the virus.
The CDC also stated its commitment to protecting lives and livelihoods by providing timely information and responding rapidly to disease outbreaks. “Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC’s world-leading experts protect lives and livelihoods, national security, and the U.S. economy by providing timely, commonsense information, and rapidly identifying and responding to diseases, including outbreaks and illnesses,” according to the statement.
“CDC drives science, public health research, and data innovation in communities across the country by investing in local initiatives to protect everyone’s health,” according to the agency.
No additional details about other cases or outcomes were provided.