Acting CDC director says US Ebola response more justified than COVID measures

June 4, 2026 - 18:12

The acting director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Jay Bhattacharya, argued on Thursday that the federal government's response to the Ebola outbreak was more justified than the measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an opinion piece published in a major newspaper, Bhattacharya stated that the current administration's approach to the Ebola virus in Uganda reflects a more targeted and scientifically sound strategy compared to the broad mandates used during the coronavirus crisis.

Bhattacharya, who has been a vocal critic of lockdowns and vaccine mandates, wrote that the Ebola response relies on proven public health tools such as contact tracing, isolation of cases, and safe burials. He contrasted this with what he described as overreaching COVID policies that disrupted society and harmed children's education. The acting director emphasized that the Ebola virus, while deadly, spreads through direct contact with bodily fluids and is not airborne, allowing for a more contained and less disruptive intervention.

He also criticized the previous administration for what he called a "one-size-fits-all" approach during COVID, arguing that it eroded public trust. Bhattacharya's comments come as the CDC monitors a small number of travelers from Uganda, where an Ebola outbreak has been declared. The agency has not issued travel restrictions but is screening passengers at select U.S. airports. His remarks have drawn mixed reactions, with some health experts warning against comparing different viruses and outbreaks.