An American doctor is being treated for Ebola virus in Germany. Six other Americans are also considered “high-risk contacts” as the “scale and speed” of what is now an epidemic concerns the World Health Organization.
At least 131 people are believed to have died and 531 suspected to have been infected as part of the outbreak tied to central Africa, according to the Congolese Health Ministry.
Currently there is no approved vaccine or treatment for this strain, the Bundibugyo virus.
Global health experts are worried about the capacity of this outbreak to cause widespread illness and death in central Africa; however, local officials say the risk to Chicagoans remains very low.
“There isn’t a reason to be that concerned at that level. This is very different from other kind of pandemic-level outbreaks such as COVID-19,” said Dr. Alfredo Mena Lora, an infectious disease physician at St. Anthony Hospital.
“This is a disease that isn’t as transmissible as a respiratory virus. This is a disease that requires a lot of close contact, typically living with the person or cleaning the person, or taking care of the person. And it’s a disease that is happening in an area that doesn’t have that much travel with the United States.”
Ebola is a hemorrhagic fever with initial symptoms including headaches, fevers, nausea, and vomiting.
The virus can be deadly.
However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tuesday, diagnostic testing already available from previous outbreaks will work to detect the Bundibugyo strain.
“We have a playbook for this and we know what to do,” said Mena Lora.
“That’s another big difference between COVID-19, which was a brand new condition that ended up being highly transmissible. But, we also didn’t have all of the facts of how it transmitted itself. For both Hantavirus and Ebola, we know how it transmits itself, and it’s behaving the way that we know it does,” he said.
Mena Lora said Chicagoans are still safe to travel this summer with precautions.
“Stay informed of what’s going on in your areas, not just where you are traveling, but areas where you might be connecting, and follow the science,” said Mena Lora.
“For the most part, whether it’s hantavirus or Ebola virus, if you understand the precautions to take and where not to travel, it is something that you can prevent and can continue to live your life.”
The State Department said that it was “strongly” urging Americans not to travel to Congo, South Sudan or Uganda “for any reason.”
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