U.S. Government Plans for Ebola Patient Care in Europe

U.S. Strategic Planning for Ebola Cases

The U.S. administration has announced a policy that prioritizes sending Americans needing advanced medical care for Ebola to Europe, instead of bringing them back to the United States. This decision is part of measures to prevent the virus from entering the country amidst the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A facility has been established in Kenya to manage exposed individuals, set to open with quarantine beds. This facility will eventually include isolation units for those testing positive. However, these patients will not remain in Kenya nor return to the U.S.

Shorter Flights to Europe

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is collaborating with the Department of State to determine potential European locations for patient care. The rationale is based on shorter flight times compared to returning to the U.S. An example is the American surgeon, currently being treated in Germany, who was exposed in Congo.

Preventing Ebola Entry into the U.S.

At a recent Cabinet meeting, Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the U.S. is committed to preventing any Ebola cases from entering the country. Consequently, travel restrictions are in place, blocking noncitizens who have visited Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan from entering the U.S. in the last three weeks.

Efforts to provide optimal care include deploying U.S. doctors to the new Kenya facility and the hospital in Germany. The quarantine camp is located at Laikipia Air Base in Kenya and will be staffed by U.S. Public Health Service members experienced with Ebola outbreaks.

Ebola Outbreak in Congo

The outbreak in Congo, caused by the Bundibugyo strain, has seen 1,077 cases and 246 deaths. The World Health Organization reports there is currently no vaccine or treatment for this strain.

Recent Developments

Recently, seven Americans exposed to Ebola in Congo were transported to Europe, including the doctor receiving treatment in Germany, where his family is also quarantined. Another American doctor is quarantining in the Czech Republic.

Officials have not reported any new American exposures requiring transport to Kenya at this time.