American doctor tests positive for Ebola virus as 131 dead from Congo outbreak

An American doctor has now tested positive for the Ebola virus, as at least 131 deaths and more than 500 suspected cases have been reported in the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Samuel Roger Kamba, the minister of public health, said: "513 suspected cases and 131 deaths have been recorded in the affected areas.

"These are suspected deaths, and investigations are underway to determine which ones are actually linked to the disease."

On Sunday (17 May), the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.

Health authorities say the current outbreak, first confirmed on Friday (15 May), is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, a rare variant of the Ebola disease that has no approved therapeutics or vaccines.

At least 131 deaths and more than 500 suspected cases have been reported in the ongoing Ebola outbreak (Badru Katumba / AFP via Getty Images)

Although more than 20 Ebola outbreaks have taken place in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, this is only the third time that the Bundibugyo virus has been detected.

Cases have now been confirmed in Bunia, North Kivu’s rebel-held capital of Goma, Mongbwalu, Butembo, and Nyakunde.

The WHO’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in Geneva that he is 'deeply concerned about the scale and speed of the epidemic' and the UN health agency will convene its emergency committee on Tuesday (19 May) to advise on recommendations.

An American doctor working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has now tested positive for Ebola (Badru Katumba / AFP via Getty Images)

Now, an American doctor working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has tested positive for Ebola during the current outbreak, according to the international Christian missions group Serge.

Dr Peter Stafford, a medical missionary with Serge, was exposed while treating patients at Nyankunde Hospital, the organisation said Monday (18 May).

He sought testing 'after presenting symptoms consistent with the virus'.

Stafford has worked at Nyankunde Hospital with Serge since 2023. Two other Serge medical missionaries, including his wife, were also treating patients in the region when the outbreak began and remain asymptomatic.

"Our medical teams labour in some of the most demanding settings in the world, serving vulnerable communities who have limited access to healthcare," Joel Hylton, Serge’s senior director of mission, said in a statement.

Medical missionary Dr Peter Stafford has served at Nyankunde Hospital with Serge since 2023 (Serge)

"We are profoundly grateful for their dedication to the people of the DRC, and we deeply lament the hardship they are enduring under this current threat. Our concern extends equally to our Congolese colleagues and friends in the region who face these same risks."

The CDC confirmed Monday that at least one American in the DRC had tested positive for Ebola, but did not identify the person.

Dr Satish K. Pillai, incident manager for the CDC’s Ebola response, said the individual developed symptoms over the weekend and tested positive late Sunday.

The patient and six other high-risk contacts are being moved to Germany for treatment.

"Given the previous experience for caring for Ebola patients, coupled with the flight times being significantly shorter, this allows us to get these persons to points of care quickly," Pillai said.