CDC raises response to Ebola outbreak, to send 2,500 rapid diagnostic tests

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it has raised its response to the Ebola outbreak in Africa to its highest level, saying it is "highly concerned" about rapidly rising cases that are spreading across borders. The agency reported that nearly 300 people have died and said the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is now the third-largest on record globally.

The CDC said the risk to the United States remains low. In the statement, the agency added it is preparing to send 2,500 rapid diagnostic tests to Africa to help detect cases more quickly. The transcript did not specify a date for the statement or a timeline for shipment of the tests.

Public-health officials often raise response levels to coordinate resources and international assistance; the CDC's move signals enhanced attention and deployment of diagnostic support to partners in the affected region. The agency provided the casualty figure "nearly 300" and described cross-border spread as the primary concern prompting escalation.

The CDC did not provide additional details in the transcript about which countries will receive the tests or when they will be dispatched. The agency's statement summarized the current situation and immediate operational step of sending rapid diagnostic tests.