French health authorities have confirmed the country’s first-ever case of Ebola, after a doctor returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo tested positive for the virus, prompting heightened public health surveillance.
The case marks the first detection of Ebola outside Africa during the current outbreak, which has affected both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
In a statement on Wednesday, France’s Health Ministry announced the confirmation of the infection on French soil.
“The health ministry confirms today the identification of a first positive case of Ebola virus disease on national territory,” the statement said.
Officials clarified that the case was identified in mainland France and involved a doctor who had recently returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where health authorities are battling a major outbreak.
According to the ministry, the individual was isolated immediately upon arrival in France, even before laboratory tests officially confirmed the disease.
The development represents a historic first for France. Although two Ebola patients were transported to the country during the 2014 West African epidemic, both had been diagnosed before arriving in France.
Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is closely monitoring the situation, according to his office.
The latest outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo was officially declared on May 15 following a series of unexplained deaths in the eastern province of Ituri.
Health officials said the outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
Despite concerns over the spread of the disease, public health experts maintain that the risk of wider international transmission remains low because Ebola is not easily spread compared to many other infectious diseases.
Authorities in France continue to monitor the situation while reinforcing containment measures designed to prevent any further transmission.
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