STAT+: As Ebola outbreak in Central Africa grows, the U.S. turns itself into a fortress

STAT PlusHealth As Ebola outbreak in Central Africa grows, the U.S. turns itself into a fortress Bid to keep virus out may create risks for infected Americans and discourage volunteers Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Helen BranswellMay 28, 2026 Infectious Diseases Correspondent Helen BranswellHelen Branswell covers issues broadly related to infectious diseases, including outbreaks, preparedness, research, and vaccine development. Follow her on Mastodon and Bluesky. You can reach Helen on Signal at hbranswell.01. When Craig Spencer contracted Ebola while working in Guinea during the West African outbreak in 2014, he was already back in the United States when he first developed symptoms. He credits the treatment he got at New York’s Bellevue Hospital for his survival. If Spencer, an emergency medicine physician and an associate professor in Brown University’s School of Public Health, were to contract Ebola in the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda — if he’d even had high-risk exposures to Ebola patients — he wouldn’t be allowed back into the U.S. for care or quarantine.Advertisement Administration officials confirmed Thursday that any Americans who contract Ebola will not be brought to the United States for treatment. Instead, they will be evacuated to as-yet-undetermined locations in Europe. An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State Department are working to identify tertiary care facilities that could take Americans needing care. One such case has already occurred. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In global health, infectious diseases, public health, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Helen Branswell Infectious Diseases Correspondent Helen Branswell covers issues broadly related to infectious diseases, including outbreaks, preparedness, research, and vaccine development. Follow her on Mastodon and Bluesky. You can reach Helen on Signal at hbranswell.01. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Pharmalot June 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Eli Lilly warns hospitals to submit claims data in the next five days or lose their 340B drug discounts In the Lab June 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Global coalition to fast-track three vaccines targeting Ebola outbreak with $62 million in funding Advertisement Biotech June 1, 2026 STAT Plus: Abivax ulcerative colitis drug shows strong efficacy, but cases of cancer raise concerns Biotech June 1, 2026 STAT Plus: At ASCO, talk of barriers to cancer care, new treatments, and other big takeaways Health June 1, 2026 STAT Plus: At the world’s largest cancer research meeting, data briefly took a backseat to grief Subscriber Picks