DRC Ebola Outbreak Reaches France — How Did the Virus Get to Europe?

Indian Peacekeepers receive Ebola vaccines during a mission in the DCR in 2014. Unlike previous Ebola outbreaks caused by the Zaire strain of the virus, the current outbreak is driven by the rare Bundibugyo strain, which has no approved vaccine. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons)

France's Ministry of Health confirmed the country's first case of Ebola, marking the first time that the current Congolese outbreak reached European soil.

The infected individual is a doctor from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Upon arrival in France, the doctor was immediately isolated and has since begun 21 days of home isolation. Officials are also currently tracking down the patient's close contacts, who will also be required to self-isolate. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has stated that there is a low chance of the disease's further spread in Europe.