At least 6 Americans in Congo were exposed to Ebola virus, sources say
The World Health Organization this week declared the Ebola outbreak in Congo and Uganda a "public health emergency of international concern."
At least six Americans were exposed to Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo, sources with international aid organizations told CBS News, although it was unclear if any had been infected.
Three of the Americans faced a high-risk contact or exposure, the sources said, and one was symptomatic. It wasn't immediately clear whether the Americans are still in Congo. The health news organization STAT was first to report on the exposures.
There were more than 300 suspected cases in Congo as of Sunday, and there have been eight laboratory-confirmed cases this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The CDC said it is supporting interagency partners "who are actively coordinating the safe withdrawal of a small number of Americans who are directly affected by this outbreak."
"At this time, the risk to the American public remains low," the CDC said in a statement on Sunday. "CDC continues to closely monitor the situation and has systems in place to detect and respond rapidly to potential public health threats."