CDC issues Ebola travel advisory

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Health Alert Network advisory on May 19 warning U.S. clinicians, laboratories, public health officials and travelers about Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda caused by Bundibugyo virus. The agency said the risk of spread to the United States remains low, but it urged vigilance after Congo confirmed the outbreak in Ituri Province on May 15. As of May 16, the CDC said, 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths had been reported in Congo. The World Health Organization said on May 16 that the outbreak in Congo and Uganda amounted to a public health emergency of international concern. ### What exactly did the CDC tell U.S. doctors and travelers? The May 19 advisory said U.S. health departments and healthcare workers should watch for patients with compatible symptoms and recent travel to affected areas in Congo or Uganda. The CDC said laboratories should follow biosafety precautions when handling specimens from suspected cases, and it reminded travelers to avoid contact with sick people, blood or body fluids, and contaminated items. (cdc.gov) On May 15, the CDC also posted a Level 1 Travel Health Notice for Uganda and a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Congo. The agency said no suspected, probable or confirmed U.S. cases tied to this outbreak had been reported as of May 18. ### Why are officials focused on the Bundibugyo strain? WHO said the outbreak was confirmed as Bundibugyo virus disease after laboratory investigation in Mongbwalu and Rwampara health zones in Ituri Province. (cdc.gov) The CDC said Bundibugyo virus was confirmed in 8 of 13 samples linked to clusters of severe illness and deaths. National Geographic reported on May 20 that the strain is harder to contain in part because there is no approved vaccine for this species. (cdc.gov) The publication said experts also pointed to delayed detection, spread across multiple locations and the appearance of cases in urban areas before the outbreak was identified. ### How large is the outbreak in Congo and Uganda? (cdc.gov) The CDC’s May 17 statement said there were reports of 10 confirmed cases, 336 suspected cases and 88 deaths in Congo, along with 2 confirmed cases and 1 death in Uganda, while cautioning that those figures could change. WHO said Uganda’s outbreak involved an imported case from Congo, a Congolese man who died in Kampala. (nationalgeographic.com) CDC Ebola Response Incident Manager Satish K. Pillai said in a May 17 briefing that the outbreak had affected at least nine health zones in Congo. The CDC said the affected areas are in eastern Congo, where insecurity, displacement, mining-related movement and cross-border travel could complicate the response. ### What is known about the American linked to the outbreak? (cdc.gov) The CDC said on May 18 that one American exposed while working in Congo developed symptoms over the weekend and tested positive late Sunday. The agency said it worked with the State Department to move that patient, and other high-risk contacts, to Germany for treatment and monitoring because of Germany’s prior experience caring for Ebola patients and shorter flight times. (cdc.gov) The CDC’s public situation page, updated May 20, also said the American patient was transported to Germany for treatment and care. That account differs from reports in the Times of India that said a U.S. case had arrived in the United States. CDC’s update is the most direct official account now available. ### What is happening at U.S. airports now? The CDC said on May 18 that it and the Department of Homeland Security began enhanced travel screening, entry restrictions and other public health measures for travelers arriving from Congo, Uganda and South Sudan. (cdc.gov) The agency said those steps were intended to prevent Ebola from entering the United States during the outbreak. Patch reported that screening had begun at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. (cdc.gov) Patch’s Romeoville index page listed a May 2026 item headlined “Ebola Screenings Start At O’Hare In Response To Outbreak,” but the underlying article text was not accessible through search results reviewed here. ### What comes next from here? The CDC said it will continue updating its Ebola situation page as the outbreak evolves, and WHO said response measures now include rapid-response teams, medical supplies, treatment centers, surveillance and cross-border preparedness. (cdc.gov) The next official milestones are likely to come through CDC outbreak updates and WHO disease-outbreak notices as case totals and travel measures change. (patch.com)