Another global health scare is making headlines — this time, it’s Ebola. With cases rising in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), many are asking: could this become another pandemic?
📈 What’s Happening in the DRC?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Ebola cases in the DRC have surged dramatically, with deaths jumping by 63% in just one week. As of mid-September, there have been 48 confirmed and probable cases, and sadly, 31 people have died, including four healthcare workers on the frontlines.
The number of cases is rising drastically (seksan Mongkhonkhamsao / getty)
The outbreak began with a pregnant woman admitted to Bulape General Reference Hospital on August 20. She showed classic Ebola symptoms — fever, weakness, and severe bleeding — and passed away just five days later. Tests later confirmed she had been infected with the Zaire ebolavirus, one of the deadliest Ebola strains.
🦠 What Is Ebola, and How Does It Spread?
Ebola is a viral disease caused by viruses in the Orthoebolavirus genus. Of the six identified strains, three — Ebola virus (EBOV), Sudan virus (SUDV), and Bundibugyo virus (BDBV) — are responsible for large outbreaks.
The threat to the US is considered ‘low’ at this time (Jon Challicom / getty)
The virus spreads through:
- Contact with infected blood or body fluids
- Contaminated objects (like needles)
- Transmission from infected animals, often bats or primates
Symptoms include fever, headache, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, unexplained bleeding or bruising.
Related Posts
🛡️ How Dangerous Is This for the US?
While the situation in the DRC is concerning, the CDC has made it clear: the risk of Ebola spreading to the United States is currently low. No cases linked to this outbreak have been detected outside the DRC.
Vaccination campaigns are already underway in affected regions, targeting frontline workers and people who have been exposed. Two patients have recovered, and 16 others are currently receiving treatment.
🌍 A History of Deadly Outbreaks
This isn’t the first time Ebola has shaken communities. The DRC has faced repeated outbreaks since the virus was first discovered in 1976. Major flare-ups in 2018 and 2020 killed more than 1,000 people each.
The largest outbreak in history occurred in West Africa between 2014–2016, with over 28,000 reported cases. Ebola also reached the US in 2014, when a traveler tested positive and later died — the first case on American soil.
💡 The Bottom Line
For now, the US doesn’t need to panic. The outbreak in the DRC is serious, but global health agencies are working quickly to contain it. Vaccinations, early detection, and strong healthcare responses are key to preventing wider spread.
Still, experts stress that Ebola remains a deadly threat, and keeping outbreaks under control in Africa is crucial to global health security.
