A second U.S. citizen working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has tested positive for Bundibugyo virus, a type of Ebola, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The person, whose name has not been released, is employed by a humanitarian organization and is being monitored amid a rapidly expanding outbreak in Central Africa.
The CDC said it is coordinating with the employer, Congolese health authorities, other U.S. agencies and international partners to support contact tracing and assess people who may have been exposed. Officials have not reported any related cases in the United States.
This is the second known American infection linked to the current outbreak. Dr. Peter Stafford, a U.S. citizen who contracted Ebola in Congo earlier in the outbreak, was evacuated to Germany in May and later recovered. He returned to the United States after testing negative for the virus.
Congolese authorities declared the outbreak on May 15. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 1,830 confirmed cases in Congo, including 648 deaths. Cases have also been reported in Uganda. Health facilities in the region have been under pressure, and some response sites have faced unrest, including an Ebola treatment center reportedly set on fire after clashes involving residents and authorities.
Bundibugyo virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids and is not considered airborne. There is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for this strain. The World Health Organization has said the risk of a global outbreak remains low, while acknowledging the need for continued surveillance and containment measures.
The United States increased precautions after the outbreak was announced, including enhanced health screening for travelers returning from affected areas and entry restrictions for some non-U.S. citizens who had been in the region. Public health officials continue monitoring developments closely.