U.S. missionary who caught Ebola out of hospital, with family

U.S. medical missionary Dr. Peter Stafford and his family are out of the hospital, over two weeks after he entered an isolation ward of a German hospital for Ebola. He contracted the Bundibugyo Ebola virus while working as a surgeon in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where an outbreak continues. His five family members, who were deemed to be at high risk, were also quarantined in the hospital. Peter Stafford received antiviral therapy and other support while in isolation, Berlin’s Charité University Hospital said in a statement.

Health authorities lifted Peter Stafford’s isolation order on Saturday after he went 72 hours without testing positive for the virus or showing any symptoms. Likewise, his family’s quarantine order was lifted 21 days after their last high-risk contact. They had not shown symptoms or tested positive for Bundibugyo Ebola virus.

What has the family said? Serge, the international Christian missions organization that Peter Stafford worked with, shared a communication from Peter’s wife, Dr. Rebekah Stafford:

“On behalf of our family, I (Rebekah) would like to express our deep gratitude to God for preserving Peter’s life and to everyone who has prayed and continues to pray on our behalf. We are happy to report that Peter has made significant improvements over the last few days and is now testing negative for Ebola.

“After being diagnosed with Ebola, Peter’s condition initially declined rapidly. The morning of Peter’s evacuation, when he could not stand on his own, a Congolese doctor in full protective equipment placed his hand on Peter to stabilize him. Peter told the doctor that he hoped they would see each other again. The doctor confidently responded that they would and that God would bring him back. We are so thankful for the many Congolese, American, and German medical professionals who have compassionately cared for us during this time.

“While Peter improves, our hearts remain with the Congolese medical community, its doctors, nurses, and frontline workers, who continue to risk their lives daily to care for the sick. They are our heroes.”

African and international health officials on Friday released a new 6-month plan to respond to the ongoing spread of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus. They hope to raise $518 million to support African countries and their partners to prepare for, rapidly detect, and respond to the outbreak.