Experts discuss the threat of Ebola in the US as the American tests positive for the virus
WHO issues warning after DEADLY ebola outbreak
The CDC is coordinating the ‘safe withdrawal’ of at least six Americans at risk of an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo after the WHO declared a global health emergency.
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The World Health Organization has declared a global public health emergency as the growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa raises concerns that the deadly virus could spread beyond the region – including to the United States.
The disease is associated with a large number of suspected deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring Uganda.
Ebola is a rare but life-threatening zoonotic disease, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Outbreaks often occur in African regions, primarily in species such as antelope, fruit bats and proboscis monkeys.
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There are four different types of Ebola, also known as orthoebolaviruses. Bundibugyo virus is the strain that has been found in the DRC outbreak.
Although the outbreak does not meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency, US officials are warning Americans not to visit the area, raising the Department of Tourism’s advisory from Level 3 to Level 4 on Sunday.
A visitor washes his hands at a checkpoint before entering Kyeshero Hospital in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, on May 18, 2026, as part of Ebola prevention measures following a reported case in the city. (Jospin Mwisha/AFP)
One American tested positive for Ebola on May 17 while working in the Congo and is being flown to Germany for treatment along with other high-risk Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of May 18, there have been 11 confirmed cases and 336 suspects, including 88 deaths in the DRC.
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“This is a rapidly evolving condition, and case statistics are subject to change,” the CDC noted.
Although no cases have been found in the US, it is possible that they can enter the American territory, posing a threat to public health.
“The virus is only transmitted from person to person through infected blood and body fluids from people with symptoms.”
Dr. Jacob Glanville, lead vaccinologist at Centivax in San Francisco, which makes the universal flu vaccine, spoke to Fox News Digital about the spread of Ebola in the US.
The doctor noted that the virus has an incubation period of two to 21 days, when an infected person does not show symptoms and the infection cannot be detected by testing.
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“So it is possible for Ebola to cross international borders quietly, bypassing screening,” he said.
“Additional travel restrictions from an affected area have been put in place to limit this risk. Although this outbreak has been spreading quietly for months, it is possible that an infected traveler arrived in the US in the past 21 days from an affected area prior to the travel restrictions.”
A tourist washes his hands at a checkpoint outside Kyeshero Hospital in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, on May 18, 2026, as part of Ebola prevention measures following the first case reported in the city. (Jospin Mwisha/AFP)
Glanville noted that although the outbreak is “growing rapidly,” last week there were fewer than 500 cases worldwide.
“Therefore, the chance of an infected traveler coming to the US remains very low at this point,” he said.
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Dr. Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, agreed that the threat to American communities remains low.
“The viruses that cause Ebola pose very little risk, even to travelers to outbreak areas,” an Arkansas-based expert told Fox News Digital. “The virus is only spread from person to person through infected blood and body fluids from people with symptoms, and rarely from infected animals.”
Those who believe they may have been infected with Ebola should seek medical attention immediately, experts advise. (Stock)
Ebola is spread through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids or remains of infected people or animals, including fluids such as saliva and sweat, according to Hopkins.
The Cleveland Clinic notes that it is “highly unlikely” that Ebola is an airborne infection.
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The virus begins with flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, vomiting/diarrhea and loss of appetite. Other symptoms may include a rash or spots of blood under the skin, bruises, scratches and red, bloodshot eyes.
Since this disease is a type of viral hemorrhagic fever, it causes damage to the blood vessels and can lead to serious symptoms, including heavy or heavy bleeding, neurological disorders and severe vomiting.
Health workers wearing protective gear begin their work at an Ebola treatment center in Beni, Congo, on July 16, 2019. (Jerome Delay/AP)
For those who have traveled to an outbreak, Hopkins recommends monitoring for symptoms three weeks after travel and seeking immediate care if symptoms appear.
Treatment is available, as well as a vaccine that can help protect high-risk populations and prevent further spread, according to health care experts.
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Avoiding contact with blood, body fluids, sick or dead people and animals “is very effective in preventing the spread of Ebola,” advises Hopkins.
“If contact is required, high-quality personal protective equipment is recommended before contact with potentially infected persons and/or materials,” he added.
Fox News Digital’s Michael Sinkewicz and Andrea Margolis contributed to this report.
