US citizen tests positive for Ebola amid DR Congo outbreak

A United States citizen working for a humanitarian organisation in the Democratic Republic of Congo has tested positive for Ebola, the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed on Friday, as the country battles its fastest-growing outbreak on record.

The CDC said it is working with the person's employer, US agencies, Congolese health authorities and other partners to prevent further transmission and identify close contacts.

It did not release additional details about the patient.

According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the outbreak has reached 1,830 confirmed cases, including 648 deaths.

Cases have also been confirmed in neighbouring Uganda.

The current outbreak was declared by Congolese authorities on May 15 after the virus had spread undetected for several weeks, the World Health Organization said.

It is caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment.

The outbreak response has been complicated by ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, attacks on health facilities and funding shortages, making containment efforts more difficult.

Earlier this month, researchers launched clinical trials to test potential treatments for the virus, offering hope of improving patient outcomes.

The latest case comes after another American doctor working in Congo contracted Ebola earlier in the outbreak and was transferred to Germany for treatment.