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On May 19th, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to alert clinicians, public health practitioners, and travelers about a new outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda caused by the Bundibugyo virus (species Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense).
According to the advisory, “As of May 16, 2026, a total of 246 suspected cases and 80 deaths have been reported.” The advisory also notes that on May 17, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared this outbreak a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). “The risk of spread to the United States is considered low at this time…however it is possible for travelers from affected areas in DRC or Uganda to enter the United States.”
Guidance for EMS and 911
The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) advises that while it is unlikely EMS personnel will encounter an Ebola patient during routine operations, an outbreak anywhere in the world increases the chance of encountering a recently traveled, infected patient. NETEC recommends following an “identify, isolate, and inform strategy and implement a hierarchy of controls” to prevent disease transmission.
EMS and 911 professionals can review NETEC’s guidance for responding to Ebola cases:
All these resources, including how to request technical assistance, can be accessed on the NETEC EMS landing page.
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