German Hospital Discharges US Man Cured of Ebola Infection

A US man who contracted Ebola while working in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been discharged from a German hospital after recovering from the often deadly virus, the Charité hospital in Berlin confirmed on Saturday.

 

The patient, identified in reports as Dr Peter Stafford, 39, had been working as a surgeon for a Christian missionary group in the DRC when he became infected after treating an Ebola patient in eastern Congo before the outbreak was officially declared on May 15.

 

He was admitted to hospital on May 20 after developing severe symptoms, with doctors reporting a high viral load that gradually reduced following treatment.

 

Charité hospital said he received intensive care, including experimental therapies currently being tested for Ebola treatment.

 

After 17 days of treatment, no virus was detected in his system from May 30, the hospital confirmed.

 

“The initially high viral load decreased substantially under antiviral treatment and supportive care,” the hospital said.

 

The hospital also confirmed that the patient’s wife and five family members, who had been placed under quarantine as high-risk contacts, were all in good health and cleared for discharge.

 

Following his recovery, Dr Stafford expressed gratitude to medical staff, saying, “Words cannot adequately express my gratitude,” while also noting that many patients in the Congo do not have access to similar treatment.

 

He added that his thoughts remained with those affected in the DRC.

 

Health authorities say the Bundibugyo strain involved in the outbreak currently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment, though supportive care and experimental therapies have shown promise in some cases.

 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the outbreak has so far infected 471 people and caused 84 deaths across the DRC and neighbouring Uganda.