Robert Redfield, the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), warned Friday that the current Ebola outbreak could become the second-largest spread of the virus in history if it continues on its current trajectory.
The outbreak is linked to the Bundibugyo virus strain in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. As of Friday, there were 134 confirmed cases, with most concentrated in the Congo and nine from Uganda, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Eighteen people with confirmed cases have died. The WHO also reported 906 suspected cases and 223 deaths from suspected cases in the Congo as of Wednesday.
"It's already the third-largest outbreak of Ebola in the world," Redfield told NewsNation, The Hill's broadcast partner. "This is something that is likely to go on unfortunately for a while. And these numbers, I won't be surprised if this doesn't become the second-largest outbreak that we've ever had."
What the Left Is Saying
Public health advocates and international organizations are calling for urgent action and increased resources to contain the spread. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has been vocal about the challenges facing responders on the ground.
"Frontline workers are risking everything, while attacks on health facilities make tracking cases and their contacts nearly impossible," Tedros wrote in a statement on social platform X. "We cannot build trust or isolate the sick while bombs are falling."
Tedros has urged all warring parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire to contain the outbreak, warning that eastern DRC now faces what he called "a catastrophic collision of disease and conflict." Global health organizations have echoed this call, emphasizing that conflict zones create conditions where epidemics can spiral beyond control.
Progressives have also pointed to the need for increased U.S. investment in global health infrastructure, arguing that early intervention abroad prevents larger outbreaks from reaching American shores. Some Democratic lawmakers have called for expanded funding for WHO programs and CDC overseas deployments.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative voices have focused on protecting Americans domestically while being cautious about extensive international commitments. Many Republicans have emphasized the importance of the CDC's travel restrictions as a first line of defense.
The CDC has placed temporary travel restrictions on foreign nationals and U.S. green card holders who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the last 21 days during this outbreak. Americans who have recently visited these African countries must undergo enhanced screenings at select U.S. airports. Supporters say such measures are proportionate responses to protect public health without overextending federal resources abroad.
Some Republican lawmakers have questioned whether additional funding for international response should require greater transparency and accountability from international organizations. Others have argued that domestic preparedness, including stockpile maintenance and border screening protocols, should remain the primary focus of U.S. policy.
What the Numbers Show
The current outbreak ranks behind two previous major Ebola crises. The largest-ever Ebola outbreak occurred in West Africa from 2014 to 2016, involving 28,600 cases and 11,308 deaths, according to CDC data. Redfield oversaw the second-largest outbreak during his tenure as CDC director, which occurred in the DRC between 2018 and 2020, resulting in 2,287 deaths out of 3,470 reported cases.
As of Friday:
• 134 confirmed Ebola cases (123 in Congo, 9 in Uganda)
• 18 deaths among confirmed cases
• 906 suspected cases in the Congo alone
• 223 deaths from suspected cases in the Congo
The Bundibugyo strain, while less fatal than some other strains, still carries a significant mortality risk. The WHO has classified this as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, triggering enhanced international coordination protocols.
The Bottom Line
Health officials are closely monitoring whether case counts continue to rise and whether the outbreak spreads beyond its current geographic boundaries. The conflict in eastern DRC presents the most significant obstacle to containment, as responders struggle to track cases and distribute vaccines in active war zones.
The U.S. has implemented enhanced screening at select airports for travelers arriving from affected regions, while restricting entry for foreign nationals who have visited the three at-risk countries within the past 21 days. The effectiveness of these measures depends on compliance and accurate reporting of travel history.
What to watch: Whether case numbers continue climbing toward historical thresholds, whether Uganda reports additional transmission beyond its current nine confirmed cases, and whether international calls for a humanitarian ceasefire in DRC gain traction among warring factions.