Health Advisory: Ebola Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda

The CDC has issued the Health Advisory linked below about the ongoing Ebola Bundibugyo outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda.

Clinicians in Texas should remain vigilant while treating patients with symptoms compatible with Ebola virus disease. As outlined in the health advisory, clinicians should take a complete travel history, consider Ebola virus disease in patients who have been in affected areas and have other risk factors, isolate and test patients as indicated, and immediately report any suspected cases of Ebola virus disease to their local health department or DSHS. Clinicians should also consider and test for more common causes of gastrointestinal and febrile illness such as malaria, influenza, and COVID-19.

As part of the outbreak response, CDC has implemented restrictions prohibiting entry into the United States of non-US passport holders who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the previous 21 days. It has also implemented enhanced screening and monitoring of people arriving in the US from affected areas. (See more at CDC Statement on the Use of Public Health Travel Restrictions to Prevent the Introduction of Ebola Disease into the United States | Ebola | CDC.)

Of note, the DRC soccer team is scheduled to train in Houston and play one game there during the group stage of the World Cup next month. DSHS is working closely with the CDC, FIFA, and local health departments to ensure the health and safety of the teams, spectators, and all Texas residents.

The complete health advisory can be found here: Ebola Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda | HAN | CDC