Warning about Ebola outbreak from former US CDC Director.

SKĐS - Amidst the WHO's recent declaration of an international public health emergency regarding the Ebola outbreak, the warning from the former director of the US CDC has caused considerable international concern.

Robert Redfield, former Director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has issued a worrying warning about the rapidly evolving Ebola epidemic situation in Africa.

In an interview with NewsNation , Redfield stated that this dangerous disease has the potential to erupt into a "very serious pandemic." Without decisive and timely action from authorities, the wave of infection originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo could quickly spread to neighboring countries such as Tanzania, South Sudan, and Rwanda, putting global health on high alert.

Former US CDC Director Robert Redfield stated that Ebola has the potential to erupt into a very serious "pandemic." Photo: Samuel Corum/Getty Images

The latest statistics from Central Africa clearly reflect the alarming scale of this outbreak. To date, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda have recorded a combined total of 34 confirmed cases, 105 symptomatic cases awaiting test results (probable cases), 536 suspected cases, and approximately 134 deaths believed to be caused by the Ebola virus.

What particularly worries experts is that this outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain. This is an extremely rare variant of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no specific vaccine, and it has an average mortality rate of around 40%.

In the early stages, the symptoms of Ebola virus disease are easily mistaken for other common illnesses, with patients experiencing only high fever, fatigue, muscle aches, or sore throat. However, the disease quickly progresses to a severe stage with critical symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, internal bleeding, and multiple organ failure.

International concerns have increased with the emergence of cases directly linked to American citizens. Specifically, at least one American healthcare worker exposed to the virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been urgently transferred to Germany for isolation and treatment, while several other American citizens have also been identified as having been in contact with suspected cases.

The latest statistics from central Africa clearly reflect the terrifying scale of this Ebola outbreak. Photo: Michel Luninga/Getty Images

In response to this urgent situation, the U.S. State Department issued an emergency travel advisory, requiring all passengers traveling from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan to undergo extremely rigorous medical screening upon entry.

Simultaneously, the US CDC also implemented a temporary entry ban for certain individuals returning from areas experiencing outbreaks of the disease.

Delving into the reasons for the late detection of the epidemic and the reactive healthcare system, many international health experts believe that the policy of cutting international health aid funding under the administration of US President Donald Trump severely weakened the disease surveillance system in the region.

As evidence of this, the representative of the International Relief Committee in the Democratic Republic of Congo stated that funding cuts in 2025 have dealt a heavy blow to the preparedness of supplies as well as the capacity to monitor infectious diseases in Ituri province - the current epicenter of the outbreak.

The policy of cutting international health aid funding under US President Donald Trump is believed to have severely weakened the disease surveillance system in the region. Photo: Getty Images

With the surge in international travel and trade this summer, especially with the World Cup, the biggest football event on the planet, fast approaching, the risk of the virus getting out of control and spreading beyond Africa's borders is entirely possible.

To prevent the worst-case scenario, countries around the world are closely monitoring even the smallest changes in the pandemic in order to proactively develop timely response plans and prevent the risk of the disease entering the country.

In addition, global health organizations are working to strengthen coordination and enhance comprehensive support for the Democratic Republic of Congo and its neighbors to improve testing capacity, establish strict quarantine zones, and optimize treatment protocols to support patients.

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/canh-bao-ve-dich-ebola-cua-cuu-giam-doc-cdc-my-169260522164401194.htm