WASHINGTON, United States: The United States announced Monday it is bolstering precautions to prevent the spread of Ebola, including screening air travelers from outbreak-hit areas and temporarily suspending visa services.
The public health measures shared by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) come as the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the deadly Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo an international health emergency.
In a briefing, Satish Pillai, the health agency’s Ebola response incident manager, told journalists one American had contracted the virus following exposure related “to their work in the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
“The person developed symptoms over the weekend and tested positive late Sunday,” Pillai said, adding that efforts were underway to transport the individual to Germany for treatment.
The official added the United States was attempting to evacuate six additional people for health monitoring.
