HealthThe U.S. Centers for Disease Control and ‌Prevention confirmed on Monday that ​one American has tested ​positive for Ebola as part ​of their work in the Democratic ‌Republic of Congo.The American, who was working in Congo, is being transferred to Germany for treatmentThomson Reuters · Posted: May 18, 2026 2:34 PM EDT | Last Updated: 3 minutes agoListen to this articleEstimated 2 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.People at Bunia General Referral Hospital on Saturday following confirmation of an Ebola outbreak in the area of the Democratic Republic of Congo. One American has since tested positive. (Victoire Mukenge/Reuters)The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and ‌Prevention confirmed on Monday that ​one American has tested ​positive for Ebola as part ​of their work ⁠in the ⁠Democratic ‌Republic of Congo (DRC).The CDC is working with the ⁠State Department to move the American to ‌Germany for treatment and care, Dr. Satish Pillai, the ​incident manager for ⁠the agency's Ebola ⁠response, told reporters ⁠on ⁠a ​media call.Six other Americans who have been exposed to the virus, in addition to the one who tested positive, were also being moved to Germany, according to the CDC.The risk to ​the ⁠United States remains low, Pillai said. The news of the infection comes after the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency, with two cases confirmed in neighbouring Uganda and 80 deaths suspected due to the virus.WATCH | Deadly Ebola outbreak declared a public health emergency by WHO:Deadly Ebola outbreak in Congo, Uganda a global health emergency: WHOMay 17|Duration 3:38The World Health ‌Organization declared an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a 'public health emergency of international concern' but said it does not meet the criteria for a pandemic. As of Saturday, the DRC's Ituri province had reported 80 suspected deaths, eight laboratory-confirmed cases and 246 suspected cases across at least three health zones.The CDC also issued an order on Monday suspending the entry of travellers to the U.S. who have departed ​from, or were present in, the DRC, Uganda, and South ​Sudan during the past 21 days, regardless of their country of origin, it said in a statement.The measures will not apply to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, members of the U.S. military, government personnel overseas, their spouses, and children, according to the ⁠order, which is in effect for 30 days. Challenges and missteps early in Congo's Ebola outbreak likely delayed detection, sources say"The risk of Bundibugyo (Ebola) virus disease introduction into the United States is heightened by the virus' incubation period, which can extend up to 21 days, allowing infected individuals to travel internationally while asymptomatic and therefore unlikely to be detected through routine symptom-based screening measures," the ​CDC said.The agency said it ⁠would also screen and monitor travellers arriving from areas affected by Ebola outbreaks in the ⁠region and ⁠ramp up contact tracing, laboratory testing ​capacity and hospital readiness nationwide. It will also coordinate with airlines and port-of-entry officials to identify and manage travellers who ​may have been exposed ⁠to the virus.The CDC will continue to deploy personnel to support outbreak containment efforts in affected regions, it said.With files from CBC News