Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The CDC has raised its Ebola response to Level One, the highest level of urgency and resource mobilization, due to the rapid increase in Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Dr. Satish K. Pillai, CDC Incident Manager for Ebola response, stated that the outbreak is a significant concern because of rising case numbers and ongoing geographic spread. This outbreak is now the second largest recorded in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the third largest globally, with over 1,100 confirmed cases reported between the two countries.
The CDC's strategy includes rapid case identification and isolation, supporting diagnostic testing, strengthening infection prevention and control, tracing contacts, enabling safe burials, and engaging communities to help reduce transmission. These efforts are coordinated with the health ministries of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda, along with other international partners.
Dr. Pillai noted that the CDC has briefed the Secretary of Health and Human Services on the current situation and response activities. Elevating the response allows the agency to bring additional resources to address the outbreak's complexity and scale.