A staff member of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) working on the Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has tested positive for Bundibugyo virus disease.
MSF disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, saying the staff member is being safely evacuated to the Netherlands under a strict medical protocol.
The organisation said the evacuation is being carried out in coordination with relevant health authorities in the DRC and the Netherlands, where the patient will be received at a designated hospital.
MSF said it would not disclose specific details about the staff member or the medical evacuation, citing medical confidentiality and the need to protect the individual’s privacy.
The development comes as the DRC continues to battle a major Ebola outbreak, which MSF described as the largest Ebola disease outbreak ever recorded in the country.
According to the organisation, more than 8,000 confirmed cases and 4,000 deaths have been reported since the outbreak began in May.
MSF, however, noted that the actual number of infections and deaths could be higher due to gaps in surveillance and the detection of cases.
Healthcare workers have remained among those at greatest risk as they continue to provide care and support during the outbreak. MSF said its staff receive training and protective measures, but the risk of exposure to the virus cannot be completely eliminated.
The organisation said it is currently supporting the Ebola response across Ituri, North Kivu, Tshopo and Haut-Uélé provinces.
MSF added that it would continue working with Congolese health authorities and affected communities to contain the outbreak and reduce its impact on the population.
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