Low risk of Ebola global spread, according to 50 years' worth of data

AI Summary

Research assessing 50 years of Ebola cases indicates a low risk of global spread outside Africa, with neighboring countries most affected during outbreaks. The analysis aids decision-makers in formulating border and travel policies to mitigate international transmission.

In the current outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as in previous Ebola disease outbreaks in Africa, immediate neighboring countries are most affected when it comes to cross-border spread. As decision-makers outside Africa consider border and travel policies to interrupt pathways for international transmission, researchers have identified and analyzed all known Ebola disease cases outside Africa to assess the risk of undetected Orthoebolavirus transmission outside Africa and to put it into context with possible border and travel policies.