Wife and Children of the American Doctor Infected with Ebola Are Being Monitored for Symptoms
The recent Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo may seem like it's a world away, but for one American doctor, it's very close to home. Surgeon, Dr. Peter Stafford, tested positive for the virus after operating on a sick patient. His wife, Dr. Rebekah Stafford, and the pair's four children are currently being monitored for signs of the illness.
Stafford reportedly contracted the disease at Nyankunde Hospital. East and Central Africa area director for the Christian missionary group Serge, Dr. Scott Myhre, told NBC News that Stafford believed the patient who infected him had a gallbladder-related issue, saying the surgeon "did an abdominal procedure and found that the gallbladder was normal and closed him up, but this patient subsequently died the next day."
It wasn't until days after the surgery that doctors realized the patient most likely had Ebola. Myhre explained, of Stafford, "He's a very meticulous professional, and for every surgical case he does, he would be completely gowned in sterile garb and gloves and hats and glasses…But that's not quite enough to prevent an Ebola exposure."
The doctor tested positive for the Bundibugyo ebolavirus strain last weekend and, according to information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), was evacuated to Germany for treatment.
Per the CDC, a cluster of severe illnesses among healthcare workers was noted in early May. While the first samples from sick employees from a hospital in Bunia Health Zone were negative, by mid-May, eight of the potentially infected people had tested positive. By May 19, the CDC reported 536 suspected cases, 105 probable cases, 34 confirmed cases, and 134 deaths related to the recent outbreak.
While Stafford's wife reportedly has no symptoms, she treated the same infected patient. Likewise, another doctor, Patrick LaRochelle, was also exposed to an infected patient. According to Serge, Rebekah and Dr. LaRochelle are symptom-free and in quarantine. Matt Allison, Executive Director of Serge, said, "Our hearts are with the Stafford family and the Congolese communities facing this outbreak."
Allison continued, "Peter and Rebekah have faithfully served vulnerable communities in Kyankunde with extraordinary compassion and courage. We are deeply grateful for the medical teams, government agencies, and international partners working together to provide care, contain the outbreak, and protect lives."
The Trump administration recently enacted travel restrictions for anyone without a U.S. passport who has visited South Sudan, DRC, or Uganda in the past three weeks and is enhancing public health screenings for all others.
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This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 7:29 PM.