The first case of Ebola virus disease has been confirmed in France, affecting a doctor who had recently returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where an epidemic is currently underway.
The patient, who had a low viral load and was almost asymptomatic upon boarding the plane, is in stable condition and isolated in a specialized center in Paris. French health authorities have taken precautionary measures to prevent further spread. This is the first case outside of Africa for this strain of the virus (Bundibugyo), for which there is no vaccine or specific treatment.
The risk of global transmission is considered low, although the epidemic in the DRC is concerning, with 1.094 cases and 277 deaths recorded as of mid-June, representing a case fatality rate of 25%.
