Missionary back in the U.S. after Ebola scare

The international ministry Serge reported on Monday that the medical missionary who contracted Ebola while serving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo returned safely to the United States. Dr. Peter Stafford remained Ebola-free since the end of May and is now back in America with his wife and four children, according to Serge.

In a statement, Stafford voiced gratitude to God for preserving his life, and thanked all those who prayed for him. He asked for continued prayer for those still suffering from the ongoing epidemic in the DRC. The 39-year-old tested positive for the Bundibugyo variant of the Ebola virus around mid-May and was evacuated to Germany for treatment.

Are any other missionaries infected? All Serge missionaries and their families serving in the DRC have been released from treatment and isolation, and returned safely to the United States, according to the ministry. Stafford’s colleague, Patrick LaRochelle, was quarantined in Prague due to his close contact with Stafford. The 46-year-old medical missionary remained asymptomatic despite the high-risk exposure, according to a previous statement from Serge.

The World Health Organization’s latest report found nearly 700 confirmed Ebola cases within the DRC, including nearly 140 deaths. DRC’s neighbor, Uganda, also confirmed 19 cases of Ebola, including two deaths and another death in which Ebola is the suspected cause.