An American doctor who contracted Ebola while treating patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo was evacuated to Germany for specialist treatment after testing positive for the virus.
US health officials said the doctor developed symptoms over the weekend after being exposed while working with a medical missionary organisation in eastern DR Congo.
The medical charity Serge later identified the doctor as Peter Stafford, a surgeon based at Nyankunde Hospital in Bunia since 2023.
The organisation said Stafford was infected while treating Ebola patients during the growing outbreak in Ituri province.
His wife, Rebekah Stafford, who was also exposed alongside another doctor, had not developed symptoms and was following quarantine procedures, according to the group.
The couple and their four children were moved to a secure location for monitoring and specialised medical care.
US authorities said at least six other Americans exposed to the virus were also being evacuated from DR Congo.
The Ebola outbreak has already killed at least 131 people, with more than 500 suspected infections reported by health officials.
The World Health Organization declared the outbreak an international emergency and warned the spread could worsen across the region.
Officials said the outbreak involved the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment.
Ebola symptoms can appear between two and 21 days after exposure and usually begin with fever, headaches and fatigue before becoming more severe.
The latest outbreak has revived concerns over the deadly virus, which killed more than 11,000 people during the 2014-2016 West Africa epidemic.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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