- Dr. Peter Stafford, an American surgeon, was flown to Germany for treatment after developing symptoms of Ebola. He was described as being barely able to stand on his own due to his condition.
- Stafford's symptoms developed after he treated a patient who likely died of Ebola.
- Rebekah Stafford, Peter's wife, who is also a doctor, and their four children are being monitored in Congo but have not shown signs of illness.
- To transport him safely, Stafford was placed in a tube-shaped plastic bed for the flight to Germany.
- The World Health Organization has indicated that the incubation period for the Ebola virus is up to 21 days and has expressed concern over the epidemic's scale and speed.
- At least 131 people in central Africa are thought to have died from this Ebola outbreak, with 531 suspected infections.
- The outbreak is driven by a less common form of Ebola, which lacks an approved vaccine or treatment.
Dr. Peter Stafford, an American surgeon, was airlifted to Germany for treatment after presenting with Ebola symptoms in Congo. According to Dr. Scott Myhre, the East and Central Africa area director for Stafford's missionary group, he was in critical condition as he departed.1234
Myhre described the scene saying, “There were people in full — we call it PPE — the personal protective equipment, and they’re completely covered, and he’s hanging on them barely strong enough to walk.” Stafford had treated a patient who later died, likely from Ebola, before developing symptoms himself over the weekend, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Stafford’s wife, Rebekah, also a doctor and who treated the same patient, along with their four children, remain in Congo under monitoring, but “none has shown signs of illness,” Myhre confirmed.56
The World Health Organization has warned that the incubation period for the Ebola virus is up to 21 days, raising concerns over the spread of this less common strain which has no approved vaccine or treatment. At least 131 people in central Africa are believed to have died and 531 are suspected to be infected, intensifying fears over the epidemic's scale and speed.8
Stafford was placed in a tube-shaped plastic bed, “about the size of a casket,” for his flight to protect the crew from possible infection.7
“Dr. Peter Stafford was flown to Germany for treatment after developing Ebola symptoms related to a patient he treated. His wife Rebekah and their four children are being monitored in Congo but have shown no signs of illness.”
Context on Ebola Outbreak in Central Africa
At least 131 people in central Africa are thought to have died from this Ebola outbreak, with 531 suspected infections. The outbreak is driven by a less common form of Ebola, which lacks an approved vaccine or treatment.
