A US doctor who contracted Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo is severely weakened but not in critical condition, the German hospital treating him confirmed.
BERLIN: A US doctor who contracted Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo is “severely weakened” but not in critical condition, the German hospital treating him said Friday.
His wife and four children, in quarantine at the same medical facility, have no symptoms and have not tested positive for the haemorrhagic fever, Berlin’s Charite hospital said.
Medical missionary Dr Peter Stafford was flown to Germany for treatment earlier this week from DRC after being infected during the current deadly outbreak there.
The doctor — who tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus — “shows clear symptoms and is severely weakened”, said the hospital in a statement.
But he “is not currently critically ill and does not require intensive care measures or organ support at this time”, it said, adding he remained under close observation.
His family are in a separate area but can see him through a glass partition and communicate via an intercom.
Germany agreed to take in Stafford for treatment following a request from the United States.
The Christian missionary organisation Serge has said that Stafford lived in the DRC with his wife Rebekah, also a doctor, and their children.
Stafford was exposed to Ebola while treating patients before the deadly outbreak was identified at a hospital in Bunia in DRC, where he had worked since 2023, Serge said.
The World Health Organization has declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC, which is suspected to have claimed 160 lives, an international health emergency.
