U.S. doctor recovers from Ebola after treatment in Germany as confirmed cases rise to 488

A U.S. doctor who contracted Ebola while on a humanitarian mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo has recovered and been discharged from a hospital in Germany, according to officials.

Peter Stafford, who had been working with the missionary organisation Serge, was evacuated to Berlin on May 20 after becoming infected while serving in Congo. He was treated at Berlin’s Charité hospital, where doctors administered antiviral therapy alongside intensive supportive care during the early stages of his illness.

The hospital said Stafford initially had a high viral load, which declined significantly over the course of treatment, and that repeated tests from 30 May showed no detectable virus. Following more than 72 hours without symptoms and consecutive negative PCR results, health authorities lifted his isolation order.

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Stafford’s wife, Rebekah, also a doctor and their four children were evacuated and placed under quarantine as a precaution, though none developed symptoms. He was reunited with them after his discharge. Medical staff at Charité described the case as a significant therapeutic success, highlighting the coordinated efforts of multiple specialist teams.

According to Serge, Stafford was exposed to the virus during surgery at Nyankunde Hospital in Bunia, where he has worked since 2023.

After his recovery, Stafford expressed gratitude for the care he received, including access to experimental treatments, while noting that many people in Congo do not have the same level of medical support.

This comes at the heels of a publication from the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday stating that the number of confirmed cases has risen to 488, with 86 confirmed deaths

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