Ebola Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the ongoing Ebola Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on May 17, 2026. The current risk to the general public remains low in the United States, but healthcare providers must be ready to identify, isolate, and report any suspect case. ⁶

Ebola disease is spread through direct contact with the infected person's body fluids. It is not spread through airborne transmission. An infected person is not considered contagious until after symptoms start.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) screens travelers who were recently in Ebola-affected areas at designated points of entry. Low risk, asymptomatic travelers may continue onward travel and are monitored for 21 days after leaving the affected country. Sonoma County Public Health, with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), is monitoring all travelers returning from Ebola-affected areas to Sonoma County.

Actions Requested

1. Identify ³ : Suspect Ebola Disease when compatible signs and symptoms and epidemiological risk factor in previous 21 days are both present.
   1. Compatible signs and symptoms include: fever, severe headache, muscle/joint pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or unexplained bleeding.
   2. Epidemiological risk factors include: travel to an active outbreak area in the past 21 days, and contact with a sick/deceased person, funeral, healthcare facility, or bats in an affected area.
2. Isolate ⁴,⁵ : Immediately place the patient in a single room with a private bathroom or covered bedside commode. Do not send the patient to the waiting area.
   1. Limit and track staff Keep a log of all people entering and exiting the patient’s room.
   2. Follow CDC guidelines for infection control, including recommended PPE. Use only essential healthcare workers trained in special pathogen PPE donning/doffing and infection prevention procedures.
   3. Hold all routine patient specimens.
3. Inform: Call Sonoma County Public Health – Disease Control Unit immediately using the contact information below, before collecting specimens or transferring the patient. Do not wait for laboratory results.

Contact Information for Reporting

Additional Guidance & References