In early May, the Bundibugyo virus- a unique strain of Ebola- was identified in individuals in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and has quickly spread across the region. Currently, there is no vaccine to combat the virus and available treatment consists solely of supportive care. This revelation has caused many Americans to already begin wondering what this new outbreak will mean for them and the likelihood of contracting the virus.

Within the U.S. there have currently been no known cases of the Bundibugyo virus, though one American who was exposed to the disease in the DRC has tested positive. That citizen is actively being cared for at a facility in Germany that is known for helping treat Ebola. At the moment, most known cases of the virus have been centered in the DRC and Uganda with the CDC reporting “906 suspected cases, 105 confirmed cases, 223 suspected deaths, and 10 confirmed deaths” and “7 confirmed cases and 1 confirmed death” in each respective country.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the virus a “public health emergency of international concern” however, they assure that the global risk of acquiring this Ebola virus is low. This is due to the widespread preventative measures that numerous countries have taken in order to keep the virus from spreading to other regions. The U.S. in particular has already begun enhancing public health screenings and implementing entry restrictions for non-passport individuals arriving from the DRC and Uganda.

Currently, is is unlikely that the Bundibugyo virus will impact individuals in the United States. The CDC even stated that “the viruses that cause Ebola disease pose little risk to travelers or the American public” and have continuously assured that fears surrounding the virus are unfounded at the moment.