Ebola Outbreak in Africa Causes Concerns as American Tests Positive

An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda has led to at least 80 deaths, raising concerns among public health officials in the US as well as the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring an international emergency.^1,2

“I’m concerned about everything, but certainly am,” said President Trump when asked about the outbreak, according to Time.² “I think that it’s been confined right now to Africa, but it’s something that has had a breakout.”

The declaration of a public health emergency of international concern comes as the WHO warns that the outbreak, while not yet a pandemic, poses a high risk of spreading to nations bordering the DRC.¹

Key Facts About the Ebola Outbreak

The outbreak, which is the 17th of its kind in the country, is particularly concerning because it involves the Bundibugyo virus, a rare strain for which there are currently no approved vaccines or targeted therapeutics. Unlike the more common Zaire strain, which was the focus of previous major outbreaks, Bundibugyo is believed to replicate more slowly, which may delay immune cell disablement but can also result in the virus staying in the body longer.^1,3

“The cases of Ebola that have occurred are in the DRC and in Uganda,” Gretchen K. Garofoli, PharmD, BCACP, CTTS, FAPhA, clinical professor at the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, told Drug Topics® in an exclusive interview. “One of the things that makes this outbreak alarming is that there are no therapeutics or vaccines that target the Bundiabugyo strain that is causing the current crisis.”

Adding to the global anxiety is the news that an American medical missionary, Peter Stafford, MD, tested positive for the virus while treating patients at Nyankunde Hospital in Bunia. Stafford, who developed symptoms over the weekend, has since been evacuated to Berlin, Germany, for specialized treatment at Charité University Hospital.^2-4

READ MORE: 2026 Hantavirus Outbreak: The Current Situation

Six other high-risk contacts are also being moved out of the region for monitoring, and the CDC and Department of Homeland Security have implemented enhanced travel screenings and entry restrictions for individuals arriving from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan.⁴

For the pharmacy workforce, this international emergency necessitates a state of high alert and preparedness. Community pharmacies are often the first point of contact for individuals seeking health advice or presenting with early symptoms, placing pharmacists in a critical position to prevent the spread.⁵

According to guidelines from the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), the pharmacy workforce must understand the nature of the disease and be prepared to inform, counsel, and refer patients in a timely and safe manner should the outbreak exacerbate within the US.

The clinical challenge lies in the fact that early Ebola symptoms, such as fever, headache, and muscle aches, are nonspecific and easily mistaken for common illnesses like influenza.⁵

How Pharmacists Can Help

“The largest threat is to the countries surrounding the DRC, so pharmacists in the US should not have any imminent concerns and can reassure patients that the risk is low unless they have recently traveled to the impacted areas, and if they have travel plans to the impacted areas, they should reconsider,” continued Garofoli. “Those who are exposed should not travel internationally until at least 21 days after exposure.”

Pharmacists are advised to screen suspected cases by asking 2 questions: whether the individual has had a fever of over 100.4°F in the last 24 hours and whether they have traveled to an affected area or had contact with an infected person within the previous 21 days. If both conditions are met, the pharmacist—or any health care provider screening a potential patient case—should immediately isolate the patient in a separate room and contact emergency services to arrange for secure transport to an appointed health facility.

Maintaining rigorous infection control within the pharmacy is equally paramount. Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of a symptomatic patient, as well as contaminated objects like needles or bedding. However, the virus is not robust and can be eliminated through proper hygiene.⁵

Pharmacists should ensure that alcohol-based hand sanitizers used in the pharmacy have an alcohol content of 80% ethanol or 75% isopropyl alcohol. Furthermore, environmental surfaces and objects should be disinfected using a 0.5% sodium hypochlorite (bleach) solution to mitigate the risk of health care-associated transmission.

By staying informed on clinical guidance and serving as a reliable information resource for their communities, pharmacists play an indispensable role in the global effort to contain this rare and deadly strain of Ebola.⁵

Although the CDC maintains that the overall risk to the American public remains low, the current situation in Central Africa is rapidly evolving. As of May 19, officials have reported over 500 suspected cases and 134 deaths, highlighting the speed and scale of the current event.^2-4

“Right now, there are no cases of Ebola in America,” said Heidi Overton, deputy director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, according to CNN Health.³ “We want to keep it that way, and we are doing everything we can to support Americans in the region.”

READ MORE: Infectious Disease Resource Center

REFERENCES

1. Mishra D, Khushi A. WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Congo, Uganda an emergency of international concern. Reuters. Published May 16, 2026. Accessed May 20, 2026. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/who-declares-ebola-outbreak-congo-uganda-global-health-emergency-2026-05-17/.

2. Sutherland C. Trump “concerned” about Ebola outbreak after American tests positive for virus and deaths rise. Time. May 19, 2026. Accessed May 20, 2026. https://time.com/article/2026/05/19/trump-concerned-ebola-outbreak-american-tests-positive-cases-deaths-rise/

3. Christensen J. Should you worry about the Ebola outbreak? Here’s what the numbers tell us. CNN Health. May 20, 2026. Accessed May 20, 2026. https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/20/health/ebola-by-the-numbers

4. Ebola disease: current situation. CDC. May 19, 2026. Accessed May 20, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/ebola/situation-summary/index.html

5. Ebola virus disease: information and guidelines for pharmacists and the pharmacy workforce. International Pharmaceutical Federation. Accessed May 20, 2026. https://www.fip.org/files/fip/Ebola/Ebola.pdf