Could Ebola spread to the US?WHO emergency sparks fears after American infected in Congo

The World Health Organization has declared an internationalpublic health emergencyas a growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa sparks concern that the deadly virus could spread beyond the region — including into the United States.

The outbreak has been linked to dozens of suspected deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring Uganda.

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Ebola is a zoonotic, viral disease that is rare but life-threatening, according to Cleveland Clinic.Outbreaks typically develop in areas of Africa, starting in species like antelope, fruit bats and nonhuman primates.

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There are four different Ebola strains, also known as orthoebolaviruses.Bundibugyo virus is the strain that has been detected in the DRC outbreak.

While the outbreak does not meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency, U.S.officials arewarning Americansnot to visit the area, escalating the State Department travel advisory from a 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 Congo and is being transported to Germany for treatment with other Americans who are high-risk contacts, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As of May 18, there have been 11 confirmed and 336 suspected cases, including 88 deaths in the DRC.

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“This is a rapidly evolving situation, and case counts are subject to change,” the CDC noted.

While no cases have been detected in the U.S., there is a possibility that it could make its way into American territory, posing a threat topublic health.

“This virus is transmitted only person-to-person via infected blood and body fluids from symptomatic people.”

Dr.Jacob Glanville, a leading immunologist at Centivax in San Francisco, which is developing a universal

“It is thus possible for Ebola to move acrossinternational borderssilently, bypassing screening,” he said.

“Sometravel restrictionsfrom the affected area have been put in place to limit this risk, although as this outbreak was spreading silently for months, it is possible that an infected traveler had come to the U.S.in the past 21 days from the affected areas prior to the travel restrictions.”

A visitor 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 reported case in the city.(Jospin Mwisha/AFP)

Glanville noted that while the outbreak is “growing rapidly,” one week ago there were fewer than 500 global cases.

“Thus, the chance of an infected traveler having come to the U.S.remains quite low for the time being,” 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 virusesthat cause Ebola pose a very small risk, even to travelers to areas with outbreaks,�“This virus is transmitted only person-to-person via infected blood and body fluids from symptomatic people, and rarely from infected animals.”

Those who believe they have been exposed to Ebola should seek medical attention immediately, experts advise.(iStock)

Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected blood, bodily fluids or remains of infected people or animals, including fluids such as saliva and sweat, according to Hopkins.

Cleveland Clinic notes that it is “very unlikely” for Ebola to be an airborne infection.

fatigue, headache, muscle pain, vomiting/diarrhea and loss of appetite.Other signs may include a rash or spots of blood under the skin, hiccups, bruising and red, bloodshot eyes.

As the disease is a type of viral hemorrhagic fever, it causes damage to the blood vessels and can lead to more serious symptoms, including severe bleeding or hemorrhaging,neurological disordersand severe vomiting.

Health workers dressed in protective gear begin their shift at an Ebola treatment center in Beni, Congo, on July 16, 2019.(Jerome Delay/AP)

For those who have traveled to the outbreak area, Hopkins recommends monitoring for symptoms for three weeks after departing and seeking immediate care if symptoms develop.

Treatments are available, along with a vaccine that can help protect high-risk individuals and prevent further spread, according to healthcare professionals.

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Avoiding contact with blood, body fluids, and sick or deceased people and animals is “highly effective in the prevention of Ebola transmission,” Hopkins advised.

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“If contact is required, high-quality personal protective equipment is recommended before contact with potentiallyinfectious peopleand/or materials,” he added.

�s Michael Sinkewicz and Andrea Margolis contributed to this report.