American Doctor with Ebola Says He’s ‘Cautiously Optimistic’ After Arriving in Germany for Emergency Treatment

German medical teams clad in full protective gear have been providing care for Dr. Peter Stafford, a missionary doctor who recently contracted Ebola while working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Dr. Stafford, who has been serving at Nyankunde Hospital since 2023, tested positive for the virus after coming into contact with infected patients.

The 39-year-old physician was flown to Charité University Hospital in Berlin on 19 May, where he is currently receiving specialised treatment for Ebola, as confirmed by his employing organisation, Serge. Prior to his evacuation, Dr. Stafford was reported to be in a severely weakened state, struggling to stand and relying on the assistance of staff wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) to be moved.

“I was feeling really concerned I wasn’t going to make it,” Dr. Stafford expressed in a statement released by Serge. However, he now feels “cautiously optimistic” about his recovery. Dr. Scott Myhre, the Area Director for East and Central Africa at Serge, described his condition as “critically ill but not acutely deteriorating” during a recent phone conversation. Fortunately, Stafford has shown some signs of improvement, stating that he felt better than the previous day and has begun to eat small portions of food.

The progression of his illness has followed the expected pattern associated with Ebola, which starts with non-specific symptoms like fever and fatigue before developing into more serious manifestations including vomiting, diarrhoea, and rash. Medical staff in Berlin are closely monitoring his symptoms, which seem to be showing slight improvement, bolstered by two intravenous treatments aimed at enhancing patient outcomes.

Ebola is known for its high mortality rate, which can reach up to 90%, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The current outbreak, linked to the Bundibugyo virus, spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of those infected, whether dead or alive. Items contaminated with these fluids, such as clothing or bedding, can also serve as transmission pathways. Symptoms might appear as long as 21 days after exposure, initially presenting with “dry” symptoms before advancing to “wet” ones, which include severe gastrointestinal distress and bleeding from various orifices.

In a supportive gesture, Dr. Stafford’s wife, Rebekah, who is also a medical professional, and their four children have flown to Berlin to be near him. Though she was potentially exposed to the virus while working in the DRC, Rebekah and the children are currently asymptomatic and reside in a separate area of the hospital, maintaining isolation and undergoing regular monitoring.

The family has managed to see each other through a window, and both Dr. and Mrs. Stafford expressed relief at the opportunity to reconnect, allowing them to share a much-needed moment of peace together. Their children, who are also in isolation, have been reported to be doing well during this challenging time.

Peter and Rebekah Stafford met while studying at medical school at The Ohio State University and married in 2013. They spent five years in Lexington where both completed residency programmes at the University of Kentucky, before committing to their missionary work.

As the situation develops, the Stafford family is a poignant reminder of the risks faced by medical professionals in regions affected by Ebola. Their experiences continue to draw attention to the need for adequate support and training to combat outbreaks while highlighting the human stories behind the headlines.