Former CDC director Robert Redfield warned the ongoing Ebola outbreak, linked to the Bundibugyo virus in the DRC and Uganda, could become the second-largest on record. The WHO reported 134 confirmed cases and 18 confirmed deaths as of Friday, while the DRC listed 906 suspected cases and 223 suspected deaths. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said conflict in eastern DRC is severely hampering the response and called for a ceasefire to protect health workers. The U.S. CDC has implemented temporary travel restrictions and enhanced airport screening for recent visitors to affected countries.
Former CDC Director Warns Current Ebola Outbreak Could Become Second-Largest On Record
Ex-CDC director warns Ebola outbreak could rank second largest in history
Robert Redfield, former director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, warned on Friday that the ongoing Ebola outbreak could escalate to become the second-largest Ebola epidemic on record.
Outbreak Status
The outbreak, linked to the Bundibugyo virus, is active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. According to the World Health Organization, there were 134 confirmed cases and 18 confirmed deaths as of Friday, with most confirmed cases in the DRC and nine confirmed cases reported in Uganda. The DRC additionally reported 906 suspected cases and 223 deaths among suspected cases as of Wednesday.
Expert Perspective
Redfield, who led the CDC during the DRC Ebola epidemic from 2018 to 2020, said the event is already the third-largest recorded Ebola outbreak worldwide. He referenced the 2014–2016 West Africa epidemic, which involved roughly 28,600 cases and 11,308 deaths, and the 2018–2020 DRC outbreak of about 3,470 reported cases and 2,287 deaths. "This is something that is likely to go on unfortunately for a while," he told NewsNation. "I won’t be surprised if this becomes the second-largest outbreak that we’ve ever had."
Challenges To Containment
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that ongoing conflict in eastern DRC is severely complicating public-health efforts. Attacks on health facilities and security threats have made case finding, contact tracing, and patient isolation far more difficult, undermining the international response.
"Frontline workers are risking everything, while attacks on health facilities make tracking cases and their contacts nearly impossible. We cannot build trust or isolate the sick while bombs are falling. We urge all warring parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire to contain this outbreak." — WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus
U.S. Travel Measures
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has placed temporary travel restrictions on foreign nationals and U.S. lawful permanent residents who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the previous 21 days. Americans recently in those countries are subject to enhanced screenings at select U.S. airports.
Public-health authorities continue to monitor case counts, the security situation, and the potential for wider spread. The combination of active transmission, the involvement of the Bundibugyo virus, and local conflict has prompted urgent international attention and calls to protect health workers and ensure humanitarian access.
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