Even though no Ebola cases have been reported in the Americas, health authorities across the region are not taking any chances.

With Ebola outbreaks continuing in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has intensified preparedness efforts to ensure countries across North, Central, and South America are ready to detect and respond swiftly to any imported case.

The move follows the World Health Organization's declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) linked to the ongoing outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.

While the risk of Ebola reaching the Americas remains low, PAHO has activated its Incident Management System to coordinate regional preparedness activities and strengthen surveillance, laboratory capacity, infection control, and emergency response mechanisms.

“Countries in the Americas are not currently affected by Ebola, and the risk to the region remains low, but preparedness remains our strongest tool,” said Dr. Ciro Ugarte, Director of Health Emergencies at PAHO. He stressed that even a low-risk situation requires countries to be ready to detect, isolate, and manage suspected cases quickly to protect healthcare workers and communities.

As part of its preparedness strategy, PAHO has partnered with the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), a WHO-led international network of technical institutions and experts that supports outbreak response worldwide.

Earlier this month, PAHO's Emergency Operations Center organized a large regional technical meeting that brought together nearly 400 experts and health officials from 30 countries. The discussions focused on key aspects of Ebola preparedness, including laboratory diagnosis, biosafety measures, infection prevention, patient management, medical evacuation, and safe burial practices.

The event featured experts from globally recognized institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Emory University, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), the University of Oxford, and the University of São Paulo Hospital, highlighting the scale of international collaboration underway.

Another regional meeting is scheduled to focus on contact tracing, international technical cooperation, and the use of Go.Data, a digital platform developed by WHO and GOARN to strengthen disease surveillance during health emergencies.

Beyond training and coordination, PAHO has also issued detailed technical guidance to countries on safely collecting, handling, transporting, and testing suspected Ebola samples. The organization is preparing shipments of laboratory materials and reagents to selected countries capable of conducting advanced testing for the Bundibugyo virus.

The importance of preparedness was demonstrated recently when travelers arriving in the Bahamas with a history of travel to affected regions were investigated as precautionary cases. PAHO facilitated the rapid shipment of samples to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta for testing. Although both individuals tested negative, health officials say the exercise demonstrated the value of rapid response systems.

The organization is also helping countries estimate and stockpile essential supplies such as personal protective equipment (PPE), laboratory materials, cleaning products, transport equipment, and other resources needed to manage potential cases safely.

Meanwhile, the Ebola outbreak in Africa continues to evolve.

As of June 2, 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo had reported 344 confirmed cases and 60 deaths, along with more than 100 suspected cases under investigation. Uganda has reported 15 confirmed cases, including one death, with several infections occurring among healthcare workers.

The World Health Organization currently assesses the outbreak risk as very high within affected countries, high across the African region, and low globally.

Ebola remains one of the world's deadliest infectious diseases. The virus spreads through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated materials. Symptoms often include fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.

Currently, there are no licensed vaccines or specific treatments available for Ebola caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain. However, early diagnosis, supportive medical care, strict infection-control measures, contact tracing, and community engagement significantly improve survival rates and help contain outbreaks.

Health authorities have reiterated that there is no need for travel or trade restrictions. Instead, countries are being advised to strengthen border surveillance, improve screening of travelers with fever or other symptoms, enhance coordination with transport authorities, and ensure healthcare facilities remain prepared to respond rapidly if a suspected case emerges.

As the world continues to grapple with emerging infectious threats, health experts say preparedness—not panic—remains the most effective defense against diseases like Ebola.