U.S. citizen working for humanitarian organization in Congo tests positive for Ebola

By — Jean-Yves Kamale, Associated Press Jean-Yves Kamale, Associated Press By — Monika Pronczuk, Associated Press Monika Pronczuk, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/u-s-citizen-working-for-humanitarian-organization-in-congo-tests-positive-for-ebola Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter U.S. citizen working for humanitarian organization in Congo tests positive for Ebola World Jul 11, 2026 11:36 AM EDT KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — A U.S. citizen working for a humanitarian organization in Congo has tested positive for the Ebola virus, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday, as the Central African country struggles to contain the swelling outbreak. READ MORE: Ebola death toll in Congo tops 600. New cases also suspected in previously unaffected provinces The CDC said it was working with the person's employer, U.S. agencies, the public health authorities and Congolese partners to prevent further transmission and identify close contacts. It did not provide any further details. Earlier this week, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said that the outbreak is the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak ever recorded on the continent, with 1,830 confirmed cases in Congo, including 648 deaths. Cases have also been confirmed in neighboring Uganda. In the first week of the outbreak, an American doctor working in Congo tested positive for the virus and was transferred to Germany for treatment. Initially, Trump administration officials had said that the United States was planning to send Americans who are exposed to Ebola while abroad to a new facility in Kenya instead of flying them home. But the project has been suspended after an order from a Kenyan court. READ MORE: Residents in eastern Congo cling to hope as a new Ebola treatment trial begins The Congolese authorities declared a fresh Ebola outbreak on May 15, after the disease had been transmitting for weeks without official detection, according to the World Health Organization The outbreak is caused by the rare Bundibugyo virus, which has no approved vaccine or treatment. Efforts to contain the virus have also been hampered by a funding gap, attacks on health centers and an ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, the epicenter of the outbreak. Last week, clinical trials for treatment began after researchers launched a highly anticipated study in the hope of fighting the virus. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now