An American surgeon infected with Ebola during an outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo was evacuated to Germany this week after his condition rapidly deteriorated, according to leaders of the Christian missionary group he worked with.
Dr. Peter Stafford, 39, had been treating patients at Nyankunde Hospital in Congo’s Ituri province, the center of the growing outbreak. By the time he was flown out Tuesday, colleagues said he was too weak to walk on his own.
“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,” said Dr. Scott Myhre, East and Central Africa area director for Serge. “He looked really tired and really sick.”
According to Myhre, Stafford had operated days earlier on a 33-year-old man suffering severe abdominal pain. Doctors initially believed the patient had a gallbladder infection, reports NBC News.
“Stafford did an abdominal procedure and found that the gallbladder was normal and closed him up, but this patient subsequently died the next day,” Myhre said.
The patient was buried before testing could be conducted, though doctors later concluded he likely died from Ebola. Stafford later developed symptoms including fever, chills, fatigue, nausea, and muscle aches before testing positive Sunday, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Myhre said Stafford immediately quarantined himself after symptoms appeared. For the evacuation flight to Germany, Stafford was transported inside a sealed plastic isolation chamber. Myhre described it as “about the size of a casket.”
Stafford’s wife, Dr. Rebekah Stafford, who also treated the patient, and the couple’s four children, are being monitored for symptoms. Another physician, Patrick LaRochelle, 46, is also under observation after possible exposure tied to another patient.
Serge said all exposed individuals have left Congo and are being monitored in specialized medical facilities. LaRochelle was transported to Prague’s Bulovka Hospital.
The outbreak in central Africa has spread rapidly. At least 131 people are believed to have died, while 531 suspected infections have been reported. The strain involved is the Bundibugyo form of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment. Previous outbreaks of the strain recorded fatality rates between 30 and 50 percent, according to the World Health Organization.
Dr. Peter Stafford, 39, had been treating patients at Nyankunde Hospital in Congo’s Ituri province, the center of the growing outbreak. By the time he was flown out Tuesday, colleagues said he was too weak to walk on his own.
“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,” said Dr. Scott Myhre, East and Central Africa area director for Serge. “He looked really tired and really sick.”
According to Myhre, Stafford had operated days earlier on a 33-year-old man suffering severe abdominal pain. Doctors initially believed the patient had a gallbladder infection, reports NBC News.
“Stafford did an abdominal procedure and found that the gallbladder was normal and closed him up, but this patient subsequently died the next day,” Myhre said.
The patient was buried before testing could be conducted, though doctors later concluded he likely died from Ebola. Stafford later developed symptoms including fever, chills, fatigue, nausea, and muscle aches before testing positive Sunday, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Myhre said Stafford immediately quarantined himself after symptoms appeared. For the evacuation flight to Germany, Stafford was transported inside a sealed plastic isolation chamber. Myhre described it as “about the size of a casket.”
Stafford’s wife, Dr. Rebekah Stafford, who also treated the patient, and the couple’s four children, are being monitored for symptoms. Another physician, Patrick LaRochelle, 46, is also under observation after possible exposure tied to another patient.
Serge said all exposed individuals have left Congo and are being monitored in specialized medical facilities. LaRochelle was transported to Prague’s Bulovka Hospital.
The outbreak in central Africa has spread rapidly. At least 131 people are believed to have died, while 531 suspected infections have been reported. The strain involved is the Bundibugyo form of Ebola, which currently has no approved vaccine or treatment. Previous outbreaks of the strain recorded fatality rates between 30 and 50 percent, according to the World Health Organization.
