A U.S. citizen who contracted Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been discharged from a Berlin hospital, medical officials announced Saturday, marking a significant therapeutic success.
Dr. Peter Stafford, an American physician working in the DRC with a nonprofit Christian ministry Serge, tested positive for Ebola in May and was flown to Germany for treatment.
Admitted on May 20, 2026, to Charité’s specialized isolation unit with a Bundibugyo Ebola virus infection, Stafford was barely strong enough to walk.
Dr. Scott Myhre, the East and Central Africa area director for Serge, said that Stafford looked “really sick” as he departed.
“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,” Myhre told NBC News. “He looked really tired and really sick.”
Stafford’s symptoms rapidly subsided within the first week, thanks to combined antiviral therapy and supportive medical interventions, leading to continuous clinical recovery and normalized laboratory parameters.
The initial high viral load significantly decreased under treatment. No virus has been detected in daily follow-up tests since May 30. Adhering to international criteria – including a complete absence of symptoms for over 72 hours and repeated negative PCR tests – the public health authority lifted the isolation order at noon today.
The patient’s five family members, including four young children, were identified as high-risk contacts and were also quarantined at Charité.
None developed symptoms during their observation, and repeated laboratory tests confirmed the absence of the Bundibugyo Ebola virus. Their quarantine order was lifted at noon on Saturday, following a 21-day period since their last high-risk contact.
Following a final examination, the patient and their family were discharged from Charité in good health.
Prof. Leif Erik Sander, Director of Infectious Diseases and Critical Care Medicine at Charité, expressed satisfaction. “We are very pleased with the successful course of treatment and consider this a significant therapeutic success,” he said.
“On behalf of the entire team, we thank all participating specialties and departments that made the successful treatment in the specialized isolation unit possible.”
Prof. Sander further emphasized the critical role of such facilities. He added, “Charité’s specialized isolation unit has once again proven to be an indispensable component in responding to highly pathogenic infections. Only by maintaining this dedicated infrastructure, along with expertise in infectious diseases and highly qualified staff, is it possible to provide effective medical treatment to patients like this one under the highest safety standards. In light of increasing global risks, this case underscores the crucial importance of such specialized facilities for health security.”
Stafford also conveyed profound gratitude for the care received.
“I received first-class care, including experimental therapies currently being trialed for this type of virus. Words cannot adequately express my gratitude. Thank you to everyone who made this possible. Our thoughts remain with the people in the Congo who do not have access to such care.”
