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A new Ebola outbreak was declared in the Democratic Republic of Congo on September 4. At that point, there were 28 cases and 15 deaths, but the number has already more than doubled to 68. Ebola is one of the deadliest viruses, killing up to 90% of patients without treatment.
The WHO says it’s still possible to contain this outbreak, but quick action is critical. Fewer than 20% of contacts are being monitored, and response is complicated by the remote location, poor infrastructure, and nearby conflict. This isn’t Congo’s first rodeo with Ebola. It’s had 16 Ebola outbreaks since 1976, most small, but one from 2018–2020 killed over 1,000. Outside of Congo, a 2014–2016 West Africa outbreak was much larger, with more than 28,000 cases and 11,000 deaths, and nearly a dozen cases reached the U.S. While some were medical evacuations, others were travelers who returned to the States, and two were actually nurses who cared for Ebola patients here.
There have been no U.S. cases from this outbreak, and the risk here remains very low. But the global response looks different this time. The U.S. is pulling out of the WHO and already drastically cut foreign aid. There’s also upheaval at the CDC, which in previous years would have been coordinating a response. While there are still amazing public health experts at the CDC working to contain any pathogens that make their way to U.S. soil, there are massive staffing and funding gaps compared to a decade ago. That makes it harder to mount the kind of rapid, coordinated response that helped stop Ebola before.
Sources: Reuters, STAT, AP, CDC
Jamestown Canyon virus is in the news this week after Vermont reported its first human case. It’s a mosquito-borne disease that’s usually mild, but some cases can be severe, particularly for those at higher risk due to age or other medical conditions.
Symptoms can generally include fever, headache, and fatigue. Rare but more severe symptoms caused by encephalitis can include confusion, stiff neck, difficulty speaking, loss of coordination, or seizure.
Jamestown Canyon in particular is not a major health threat for businesses right now, but it’s a good reminder that it’s still mosquito season in much of the U.S. and they carry a whole host of nasty diseases that are a real employee health risk.
It’s a good time to plan for next year: install (and repair!) screens in windows where possible, remove sources of standing water, and offer insecticide and long-sleeved clothes and pants for outdoor workers.
Dr. Panthagani is a regular contributor to Your Local Epidemiologist and has her own newsletter, You Can Know Things, that our team reads regularly. Her work drilling down on what actually works for health communication right now is super helpful. Your role as trusted messengers means you also need to find the right words to reach your audience, whether it’s employees or health departments.