An American medical missionary working in the Democratic Republic of Congo has tested positive for Ebola as U.S. and international health authorities intensify response efforts to contain the outbreak.
An American doctor working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has tested positive for Ebola amid the outbreak, according to an international Christian missions organization.
ABC News' Faith Abubey reports. https://t.co/kYG3DVf2fM pic.twitter.com/DmINYmCbOu
— ABC News (@ABC) May 19, 2026
An American doctor working in the Democratic Republic of Congo has tested positive for Ebola during the ongoing outbreak, according to international Christian missions organization Serge.
Dr. Peter Stafford, a medical missionary serving at Nyankunde Hospital since 2023, developed symptoms over the weekend after treating patients exposed to the virus. Serge confirmed Monday that Stafford tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the patient and six high-risk contacts are being transferred to Germany for treatment. “Given the previous experience for caring for Ebola patients… this allows us to get these persons to points of care quickly,” CDC official Dr. Satish K. Pillai said.
The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern.” The DRC has recorded 10 confirmed cases and 336 suspected infections, while Uganda confirmed two cases and one death linked to cross-border travel.
NEWS NOW:
