Second Infected American with Ebola Sent to Germany for Treatment; US Continues to Shun Repatriation

A US citizen involved in humanitarian work in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has tested positive for Ebola. This marks the second American infected during the DRC's ongoing outbreak, and once again the patient has been transferred to Germany for treatment rather than the United States.

The Ebola outbreak, first declared on May 15, is already the third largest on record and continues to grow. As of July 12, the DRC has reported 1,926 cases and 702 deaths. The outbreak is caused by the lesser-known Bundibugyo strain of the Ebolavirus.

The Trump administration has adopted an apparently isolationist approach, implementing stringent and controversial travel restrictions and blocking the repatriation of citizens exposed to or infected with the virus. This despite the US having multiple facilities nationwide designed to safely monitor and provide high-quality care for Ebola patients in such situations.

The US has also largely distanced itself from outbreak response efforts. Upon taking office, Trump moved to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO), which is coordinating international efforts to halt the spread of the virus—though these efforts are still being outpaced by the outbreak.

On Monday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that WHO provided clinical care for the infected American before the patient was transferred to Germany for follow-up care. He noted that such infections among aid workers are not unexpected and called for more help to curb the virus.

"As the outbreak escalates, an accelerated response from local, national, and international partners is urgently needed," Tedros said on social media Monday. "WHO is working intensively under the government's leadership and with Africa CDC to bring the outbreak under control as rapidly as possible."