Dr. Peter Stafford, a U.S. doctor who contracted Ebola during a humanitarian mission in Congo, has been discharged from a German hospital following his recovery from the disease.
Dr. Stafford was working with the missionary group Serge when he became infected. He was airlifted to Charité hospital in Berlin on May 20 for treatment. His wife, Rebekah, also a doctor with Serge, and their four children were evacuated and quarantined as a precaution.
While at Charité hospital, Dr. Stafford received antiviral therapy and supportive medical care. His health showed steady improvement throughout the treatment. According to Charité, his viral load decreased significantly after receiving antiviral treatment. By May 30, daily tests showed no trace of the virus.
“Since May 30, no virus has been detected in the daily follow-up tests,” Charité noted in a statement.
The public health authority lifted the isolation order once Dr. Stafford showed no symptoms for over 72 hours and tested negative in follow-up PCR tests. Rebekah Stafford and their children did not develop any symptoms during the quarantine period. The family was reunited on Saturday.
The current Ebola outbreak in Congo involves the Bundibugyo strain, which differs from the more common Zaire strain. This strain has no available vaccines or treatment, raising concerns as the outbreak spreads to neighboring Uganda.