Former CDC Director Robert Redfield has warned that the Ebola outbreak in Africa could spread to additional countries and become a serious global health concern.
Ebola Outbreak Could Spread to New Countries
Redfield, speaking on NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas Reports on Wednesday, said he expects the outbreak to “leak into Tanzania, leak into southern Sudan, maybe leak into Rwanda.” He described the situation as potentially “very disruptive” and a “very significant pandemic.”
Current Situation in Congo and Uganda
The majority of Ebola cases remain concentrated in Congo and Uganda. Local health authorities have reported 536 suspected cases, 105 probable cases, 34 confirmed cases, and approximately 134 suspected deaths, according to the CDC.
Redfield noted that the outbreak was not recognized as quickly as previous Ebola outbreaks. “Normally when we have these Ebola outbreaks, and I had three of them when I was CDC director, all of which were in the DRC, we recognize them when we have five or ten cases at most. This one wasn’t picked up until there were over 100 cases,” he explained.
Rapid Spread and Global Concern
As of May, there are over 500 cases and nearly 150 deaths, with the outbreak spreading rapidly. This marks the 17th Ebola outbreak in the region over the past 50 years. The previous outbreak ended in December 2025.
One American worker reportedly came into contact with Ebola while working in Congo and was transported to Germany for treatment.
U.S. Travel Advisory and Screening Measures
In response to the outbreak, the U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory on Thursday. All U.S.-bound citizens and lawful permanent residents who have been in Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within 21 days of arrival must undergo enhanced public health screening by the CDC and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Travelers from African countries with recent Ebola outbreaks are required to complete this screening at Washington Dulles International Airport to help prevent further spread.
The CDC and international health agencies continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing early detection and rapid containment to prevent the outbreak from escalating further.
