health

At least 6 Americans in Congo were exposed to Ebola virus, sources say

Updated on: May 17, 2026 / 10:01 PM EDT / CBS News

At least 6 Americans in Congo were exposed to Ebola virus, sources say

TL;DR

  • At least six Americans were exposed to Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • One of the Americans exposed was symptomatic.
  • The World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
  • At least 80 suspected deaths have been reported in the outbreak.
  • The CDC is supporting the withdrawal of Americans affected by the outbreak.
  • The CDC states the risk to the American public remains low.
  • Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids, not casual contact or air.
  • This is the 17th Ebola outbreak in Congo since 1976.