Dr. Peter Stafford, a 39-year-old medical missionary working in the Democratic Republic of Congo, tested positive for Ebola on Sunday. He became the first American diagnosed amid an escalating outbreak in East Africa. Stafford was airlifted to Charité hospital in Berlin, where doctors administered monoclonal antibody treatment.

The physician likely contracted the virus on May 9 while treating a woman who later died. Her Ebola diagnosis came only after the outbreak was declared. This marks the latest case in an epidemic that has sickened roughly 750 people and claimed 177 lives, according to World Health Organization estimates. The outbreak involves the rare Bundibugyo strain, which lacks approved vaccines or treatments.

Stafford's wife and their four children, who were exposed but remain asymptomatic, joined him at the German hospital. Another missionary, Dr. Patrick LaRochelle, was evacuated to Prague after exposure. The CDC implemented a 30-day entry restriction for non-citizens visiting outbreak regions, though officials maintain low risk to the American public.

Stafford had dreamed of missionary work since childhood in Columbus, Ohio. He completed surgical residency at University of Kentucky before moving to Africa with his wife, also a physician. Colleagues describe him as calm under pressure. His recovery prospects have improved significantly since receiving intensive care in Berlin.