Experts discuss Ebola threat to US as American tests positive for virus

The World Health Organization has declared an international public health emergency as the growing Ebola outbreak in Central Africa raises concerns that the deadly virus could spread beyond the region, including the United States.

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

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Ebola is a rare but life-threatening zoonotic, viral disease. Outbreaks often begin in species such as antelope, fruit bats, and nonhuman primates in parts of Africa.

WHO HAD ‘DEEP CONCERNS’ ABOUT THE ‘SCALE AND SPEED’ OF EBOLA SPREAD, SAID THE EMERGENCY COMMITTEE WILL MEET

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

Although the outbreak does not meet the criteria for a pandemic emergency, U.S. officials are warning Americans not to visit the region and raising the State Department’s travel advisory from Level 3 to Level 4 on Sunday.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an American tested positive for Ebola while working in Congo on May 17 and was transported to Germany for treatment with other Americans who had high-risk contacts.

As of May 18, there were 11 confirmed and 336 suspected cases, including 88 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

AS THE DEADLY EBOLA OUTBREAK SPREADS ABROAD, THE USA IS ISSUING AN URGENT TRAVEL WARNING

“This is a rapidly evolving situation and case numbers may change,” the CDC said.

Although no cases have been detected in the United States, there is a possibility that the virus may enter American territory and pose a threat to public health.

“This virus is transmitted only from person to person through infected blood and body fluids of symptomatic individuals.”

Dr. D., a leading immunologist at Centivax in San Francisco, which is developing a universal flu vaccine. Jacob Glanville spoke with Fox News Digital about the potential for Ebola to spread to the United States.

The doctor noted that the virus has an incubation period of 2 to 21 days, during which the infected person may not show any symptoms and the infection cannot be detected by tests.

CLICK FOR MORE HEALTH NEWS

“So it is possible for Ebola to bypass screening and cross international borders silently,” he said.

“Some travel restrictions have been put in place from the affected area to limit this risk, but because this outbreak has been spreading quietly for months, it is possible that an infected traveler may have arrived in the United States within the last 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 case reported in the city. (Jospin Mwisha/AFP)

Glanville noted that although the epidemic was “growing rapidly,” the number of global cases a week ago was less than 500.

“So the chances of an infected traveler coming to the U.S. are pretty low for now,” he said.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPLICATION

Medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, Dr. Robert H. Hopkins Jr. acknowledged that the threat to American communities is low.

“The viruses that cause Ebola pose a very small risk even to those traveling to areas where there are outbreaks,” the Arkansas-based expert told Fox News Digital. “This virus is transmitted only from person to person through infected blood and body fluids from symptomatic humans and occasionally from infected animals.”

Experts recommend that anyone who thinks they have been exposed to Ebola should seek medical attention immediately. (iStock)

According to Hopkins, Ebola spreads through direct contact with infected blood, body fluids, or infected human or animal remains, including fluids such as saliva and sweat.

The Cleveland Clinic states that it is “very unlikely” that Ebola is an airborne infection.

CLICK TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

The virus begins with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, vomiting/diarrhea and loss of appetite. Other symptoms may include a rash or blood spots under the skin, hiccups, bruising, and red, bloodshot eyes.

Because the disease is a type of viral hemorrhagic fever, it damages blood vessels and can lead to more serious symptoms, such as severe bleeding or haemorrhage, neurological disorders, and severe vomiting.

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

Hopkins recommends that travelers to an outbreak area monitor for symptoms for three weeks after departure and seek emergency care if symptoms develop.

Treatments are available as well as a vaccine that could help protect high-risk individuals and prevent further spread, according to health experts.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

Avoiding contact with blood, body fluids, sick or dying people, and animals is “highly effective in preventing Ebola transmission,” Hopkins advised.

“If contact is necessary, high-quality personal protective equipment is recommended before contact with potentially infectious persons and/or materials,” he added.

Fox News Digital’s Michael Sinkewicz and Andrea Margolis contributed to this report.