U.S. doctor treated for Ebola in Germany released from hospital

A U.S. doctor who contracted Ebola while working at a hospital in eastern Congo was released from isolation at Charité hospital in Berlin on Saturday after repeated tests showed no detectable virus. The doctor, identified in hospital statements as Dr.

Peter Stafford, had been evacuated to Germany on May 20 after exposure during surgery at Nyankunde Hospital in Bunia. He received antiviral therapy and supportive care, and his condition improved steadily, the hospital said.

Treatment and recovery Charité stated that the patient's initially high viral load decreased substantially and that no virus was detected after May 30. Isolation ended at noon on Saturday once he met international criteria of no symptoms for more than 72 hours and negative PCR tests.

Stafford said he received experimental therapies under trial for this strain and expressed gratitude for the care. He noted that many people in Congo lack access to similar treatment.

Family and outbreak context His wife, Rebekah Stafford, also a doctor with the same missionary group, and their four children were evacuated and quarantined but never developed symptoms, according to the hospital. The Bundibugyo ebolavirus outbreak has produced 452 confirmed cases and 82 deaths in Congo as of Thursday, plus 19 cases and two deaths in Uganda as of Friday, health ministries in both countries reported.

The strain has no approved vaccines or treatments. A third doctor working with the same group remains in quarantine in Prague after potential exposure, the missionary organization said in its last update on May 24.